REGGAE GOT SOUL: UNPLUGGED ON STRAWBERRY HILL GRACE JONES A S unset on From the moment he began, the atmosphere was amplified by the crisp mountain air, the warmth S trawberry of the perfectly blended vocals caressed by the steady bass, familiar guitar riffs and spirited per- S O M E W O R D S H ill cussion, and filled the surrounding countryside with the sweet sound of Jamaica’s music at its A B O U T T OOT S best. ‘Bam Bam‘ followed next and at that point everyone in earshot wore a broad smile on their face knowing they were witnessing a master at work in this never before seen, intimate presen- tation of some of his best known classics. The priceless set further included ‘Pressure Drop‘, ‘True Love‘ (a duet with his daughters Leba and Jenieve), ‘Celia‘ and the dvd documentary First of all, I am Jamaican and Toots is Jamaican Plus he is an amazing absolutely fun person As the misty morning broke over the cool hills title track ‘Reggae Got Soul‘. As Toots perfor- and he has so much warmth in his music – full of to hang with. I’m sorry I didn’t get to do more of St. Andrew, Jamaica, the production team med, each song was refreshed by the acoustic soul you know? I mean, I don’t like comparing things with him – but there’s still time. There’s made their way up the mountainside to Chris arrangement which showcased the stunning other people to other people, but James Brown time and I would still like to do something with Blackwell’s beautiful Strawberry Hills Resort vocals and distinctive chops that have defined was a big favourite of mine. Growing up in Ja- Toots because we have a connection, a very fan- – offering a breathtaking view of the city of this artiste and a genre. As the sun set over the city, strains of ‘Funky Kingston‘ bounced off the maica I couldn’t really listen to what they called tastic connection. Kingston. The team explored the intoxicating mountainside into the city below. ‘Sweet and ‘the worldly music’ but when I went to America location, and the jade accented courtyard was Dandy‘ had the house rockin so when Toots hit and I got into James and whatever, it was then I No matter how long he has been around, his selected for the special acoustic session to be ‘Monkey Man‘ and moved into ‘I’ll Never Grow really saw Toots and the Jamaican music that he songs are never outdated. Never outdated – when recorded as a part of the ’Reggae Got Soul’ documentary project. By the time the production Old’, ‘Do the Reggae’ and closing track ‘54 – 46’, does. The soul in it that just makes you want to you hear them, you still want to dance and party, settled in the courtyard for the first ever recorded the party was popping. Jamaican music’s most dance and makes you feel like you’re on the way you still get an amazing feeling from that, and acoustic set by Toots & the Maytals, the after- active legend and originator of the word ‘Reggae’ to heaven. So much incredible – and always his I think that’s really important for music. To have noon sun’s golden rays washed over the set with – first putting it on wax and defining the genre – band is amazing. music that is just loved, that just keeps going and the Blue Mountains as a backdrop. Toots moved smoothly and instinctively from Ska you feel something fantastic every time you hear to Reggae as only an innovator could. I was in Montreux Jazz Festival with him last year, it again, you can sing along. Iconic Reggae innovator Toots stepped easily and I always make sure if I’m in the same place, Regarded internationally as one of the top voca- orthington to the mic with his guitar in tow and began the I have to stay – even you know, late or whatever, And he’s just got the greatest smile. W magical session with Time Tough, accompanied lists in the world, ‘Toots & the Maytals Unplugged ike to not get my rest – because I have to go see M by his son on bass, two daughters on backing on Strawberry Hills’ will go down in history as Toots for the uplifting feeling that one gets that I love you Toots. vocals and rich percussions to accent the mix. one of those unique magical moments we wish we all could’ve been in attendance to absorb. carries you, well, forever really… with his music. photo © R eggae G ot S oul T H E D OCUMENTARY Legend of reggae, Frederick “Toots” Hibbert is church choirs, in the country town of May Pen Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, Madness, The winning artist of today, this film tells the story of universally acknowledged as being one of the about 15 miles from the Jamaican capital. After Specials, The Clash, Willie Nelson and Bonnie one of the true greats of music; Toots. This is not all-time greats of music. With his group, The moving to the city and living in the Trenchtown Raitt have all cited his influence; and Toots’ recent only the story of one man and his joyful music, Maytals, he launched a unique, joyous sound ghetto he met the other members of The Maytals. cover of Radiohead’s Let Down brought a whole but also the story of reggae. whose appeal is universal and timeless, span- Together they started recording with legendary new audience to his music. Amy Winehouse was ning across the generations and continents producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd at the a huge fan, regularly cover ing Monkey Man in of the world. He is revered by old and young controls of the (equally legendary) Studio One. her set. And to subsequent Jamaican musicians InterViewees include: alike, with an enduring cult appeal which never As Island records founder Chris Blackwell puts like Shaggy and Ziggy Marley he is a role model diminishes. Toots named the reggae genre – his it “The Maytals were unlike anything else at the and mentor figure. He has collaborated with the Eric Clapton 1968 song ‘Do The Reggay’ was the very first time. They were sensational, raw and dynamic”. likes of Prince Buster, Clement Dodd, Leslie Kong, Keith Richards to use the word – and his music has across six However at the centre of this was Toots, the Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Keith Jimmy Cliff decades defined, popularised and refined that voice, the lead singer and the writer full of cha- Richards, Ben Harper, and No Doubt, many of Bonnie Raitt genre, combining in his own inimitable style risma and energy. After years of success in his whom appear in this special film. The Story Willie Nelson gospel, ska, soul, rock and American R‘n’B. But own country rereleasing Jamaican hits such as of Toots and the Maytals Reggae Got Soul, is Sly & Robbie the thing which is always instantly, viscerally Pressure Drop, Sweet and Dandy, Do The Reggay, a unique in-depth profile of one of the most Ziggy Marley recognisable is Toots’ powerful, soulful voice Monkey Man and Bam Bam, Toots now Toots influential artists ever to come out of Jamaica. Ken Boothe – “one of the great musical gifts of our time”. and the Maytals signed with Chris Blackwell’s This never-before-told story features intimate Marcia Griffiths Toots’ music seems to transcend the recording Island Records label releasing Funky Kingston, performances from Toots and some hand- U-Roy process to speak directly to the listener herself. In True Love Is Hard To Find and Reggae Got Soul picked musicians; rare archive from throughout Paolo Nutini fact it would be accurate to say that his songs are to the world. Toots was there at the beginning in his career, plus interviews with Toots himself, Roger Steffens stories of everyday life in Jamaica and in a way the early Sixties, and his influence can be heard contemporaries and well-known fans. From his Dermot Hussey they are postcards from another world. Toots throughout the history of how ska became rock- beginnings as a singer in a Jamaican church Wayne Jobson took the gospel influence of his early years in steady and rocksteady became reggae. choir to the universally praised, Grammy award Anthony DeCurtis T I M E T O U G H 3:46 CELIA 2:18 S W E E T 2:42 CD CREDITS: DVD CREDITS: Running time - 115 mins (approx) A N D D A N D Y Audio - PCM STEREO / DOLBY DIGITAL Written by: F. HIBBERT Written by: F. HIBBERT U N P L U G G E D O N R E G G A E 5.1 SURROUND Region - 0 Published by: Blue Mountain Music Ltd Published by: Frederick Hibbert – Written by: F. HIBBERT STRAWBERRY HILL G O T S O U L Menu screen language - English © 2012 – Isis Productions Ltd/D&F Music Ltd. D&F Music Inc. Publishing / BMI Published by: Universal Songs Of Aspect Ratio - 16:9 NTSC Under License to Metropolis Recordings Ltd. © 2012 – Isis Productions Ltd/D&F Music Ltd. Polygram International Inc / Universal MUSICIANS Vocals & Guitar: IsIS PRODUCTIONS LIMITED Disc format - 1 x DVD9 Under License to Metropolis Recordings Ltd. Music Publishing International Ltd Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert © 2012 Isis Productions Limited / Vocals: Leba Hibbert-Thomas © 2012 – Isis Productions Ltd/D&F Music Ltd. D&F Music Vocals: Jenieve Hibbert-Bailey B A M B A M 3:34 R E G G A E 3:29 Under License to Metropolis Recordings Ltd.