The Sensational Maytals [Bonus Tracks] (CD - 1965)

Personnel: Ken Lazarus, Rupert Bent, Jr. (guitar); Sammy Ismay, Sammy Ismay (saxophone); Frank Anderson , Baba Brooks, Chester Power (trumpet); Vernon Muller, Vernon Muller (trombone); Leslie Butler (organ); Byron Lee (bass instrument); Barry Lloyd (drums); Barry Lloyd (drum); Victor Chung, Carl Brady, Junior Gray, Carl Brady, Victor Chung (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Richard Khouri; Tom Dowd.

Audio Remasterer: Paul Shields.

Liner Note Author: Steve Barrow.

Recording information: Federal Record Mfg. Co. Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica (1964-1967).

Editor: Paul Shields.

Photographer: Wally Allen.

Reggae fans should be thrilled by this exceptional re-release of The Maytals' hard to find 1965 debut. Maytals leader Toots Hibbert possessed one of the most distinctive voices in reggae music. His impassioned, soulful delivery owes a great deal to American R&B shouters like Little Willie John and Roy Milton, while the frenetic ska rhythms of "Never You Change" and "It's No Use" spruce up laidback New Orleans-style syncopation to suit a burning island temperament. THE SENSATIONAL MAYTALS is an essential document of early Jamaican pop music.

Like so many of Jamaica's greatest groups, the Maytals launched their career at Studio One, and then like so many that found fame, the group then switched its allegiance, first making the studio rounds, before spending a spell with Prince Buster. Before 1964 was out, however, the trio had linked with Byron Lee for whom it recorded its first Jamaican chart-topper, "It's You." That hit was finally pushed off the top of the charts by the single's flip side, the soulful, doo wop ballad "Daddy." By the time the Maytals released their second single, the skanking "Fever," all of Jamaica was infected, and from there on out the hits rained down. The gospel-inflected jubilance of "Never You Change," its polar thematic opposite, the adamant "If You Act This Way," and the exuberantly goofy "My New Name" all rocketed up the Jamaican chart. The trio's exhilarating gospel-flavored vocals suited any style, be it the sweet blues of "It's No Use," the jazzy brass-drenched "What's on Your Mind," the fabulous R&B found on "I Know," which also boasts a superb solo from guitarist Ernest Ranglin, the mento that inspires "She Will Never Let Me Down," and, of course, the many propulsive ska numbers. So strong were these singles that before 1965 had drawn to a close, an impatient Lee bundled up a batch and pressed them onto a full-length, appropriately titling the set The Sensational Maytals. The group certainly was sensational, and although many more hits were still to come, this album was the perfect portrait of the group at its ska height. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

This brief album of ska stompers was recorded in 1965 for producer Byron Lee shortly before Maytals' lead singer Toots Hibbert was arrested and tossed in prison for ganja possession. Originally released under the title The Sensational Maytals, this reissue retains the same set sequence, but adds on eight alternate takes. The ska-era Maytals were even more rough-hewed than the later reggae roots version, if that's possible, and there is a delightful feel of gospel-fueled chaos to these tracks, most of which are punctuated by blasts of saxophone and trumpet. Cuts like "Never You Change," "Daddy," and "Fever" hint at the more controlled (but no less explosive) magic this group would produce a couple years down the road at the dawn of Jamaica's roots period. ~ Steve Leggett

This brief album of ska stompers was recorded in 1965 for producer Byron Lee shortly before Maytals lead singer Toots Hibbert was arrested and tossed in prison for ganja possession. Originally released under the title The Sensational Maytals, this reissue retains the same set sequence, but adds on eight (mostly superfluous) alternate takes. The ska-era Maytals were even more rough-hewed than the later roots reggae version, if that's possible, and there is a delightful feel of gospel-fueled chaos to these tracks, most of which are punctuated by blasts of saxophone and trumpet. While cuts like "Never You Change," "Daddy," and "Fever" hint at the magic this group would produce a couple years down the road, truthfully this set is for Maytals fanatics only. Yes, Toots is a ball of fervent energy here, and the rest of the Maytals match him burst for burst, but Toots' songwriting hadn't quite matured, and the group was still learning how to bring all that energy into focus, giving these tracks all the stage dynamics of an explosion -- but then where do you go for the second verse? ~ Steve Leggett

Like so many of Jamaica's greatest groups, the Maytals launched their career at Studio One, and then like so many that found fame, the group then switched its allegiance, first making the studio rounds, before spending a spell with Prince Buster. Before 1964 was out, however, the trio had linked with Byron Lee for whom it recorded its first Jamaican chart-topper, "It's You." That hit was finally pushed off the top of the charts by the single's flip side, the soulful, doo wop ballad "Daddy." By the time the Maytals released their second single, the skanking "Fever," all of Jamaica was infected, and from there on out the hits rained down. The gospel-inflected jubilance of "Never You Change," its polar thematic opposite, the adamant "If You Act This Way," and the exuberantly goofy "My New Name" all rocketed up the Jamaican chart. The trio's exhilarating gospel-flavored vocals suited any style, be it the sweet blues of "It's No Use," the jazzy brass-drenched "What's on Your Mind," the fabulous R&B found on "I Know," which also boasts a superb solo from guitarist Ernest Ranglin, the mento that inspires "She Will Never Let Me Down," and, of course, the many propulsive ska numbers. So strong were these singles that before 1965 had drawn to a close, an impatient Lee bundled up a batch and pressed them onto a full-length, appropriately titling the set The Sensational Maytals. The group certainly was sensational, and although many more hits were still to come, this album was the perfect portrait of the group at its ska height. [VP's 2008 reissue adds six bonus tracks which include rarities and the group's classic single "Bam Bam".] ~ Jo-Ann Greene minimize