The Maytals: Monkey Man (180g, yellow vinyl) [MUSIC ON VINYL]

Why you'll love it

Music On Vinyl's limited edition of 1,000 numbered copies on 180g yellow vinyl. It has "Monkey Man," which reached the UK singles chart and was later covered by The Specials and Amy Winehouse, and "Pressure Drop," one of the best-loved reggae songs ever recorded.

This edition

• Limited to 1,000 numbered copies
• 180g yellow vinyl
• Music On Vinyl / Trojan pressing (cat# MOVLP2721)

About the album

By 1970 Toots Hibbert and the Maytals had already given reggae its name with "Do the Reggay," and this album shows them at the peak of that early run. Toots sings like a gospel preacher who has wandered into a dance hall and decided to stay, while Raleigh Gordon and Jerry Matthias answer him in tight harmony over a rhythm that bounces and skanks. It came out on Trojan in the UK, where skinheads and soul boys alike had already taken the Maytals to heart.

"Monkey Man" is a cheeky complaint about a girl who has picked another fellow, and it made the UK chart before going on to a long second life through The Specials, Amy Winehouse and many more. "Pressure Drop" is the song that later anchored The Harder They Come soundtrack and became a reggae standard. Elsewhere there is a reggae take on "Give Peace a Chance" and the sweet "Sun, Moon and Star." We have tested whether it is possible to sit still through it. It is not.

Tracklist

Listen

On Music On Vinyl / Trojan (cat# MOVLP2721), a reissue of the 1970 album.