The Maytals From The Roots

• The Maytals – Pee Pee Cluck Cluck
• The Maytals – Loving Spirit
• The Maytals – Dr. Lester
• The Maytals – Gola Silver
• The Maytals – Koo Koo
• The Maytals – Revival Reggae
• The Maytals – Thy Kingdom Come
• The Maytals – One Eye Enos
• The Maytals – A Time To Love
• The Maytals – 9 O'Clock
• The Maytals – Know Me Good
• The Maytals – Got To Feel
• The Maytals – Feel So Good
• The Maytals – Give Peace A Chance

• 1. Pee Pee Cluck Cluck
• 2. Loving Spirit
• 3. Dr. Lester
• 4. Gola Silver
• 5. Koo Koo
• 6. Revival Reggae
• 7. Thy Kingdom Come
• 8. One Eye Enos
• 9. A Time To Love
• 10. 9 O'Clock
• 11. Know Me Good
• 12. Got To Feel
• 13. Feel So Good
• 14. Give Peace A Chance

From The Roots, originally released on Trojan Records in 1970 (alongside another full-length that same year, Monkey Man), was a transitional record for the group. Leaving behind their early ska days – much like The Wailers and other peers – they had yet to settle into the slower tempos that blew in like ganja smoke by the mid-‘70s. As a result, music here generally gallops, and vocals fall in line. As heard on gems like “Koo Koo,” “Got To Feel,” and “Pee Pee Cluck Cluck,” the Maytals’ lyrics tend mostly towards love and the pursuit thereof. The group, throughout its career, was also deeply spiritual and much of this was expressed through song – a great case in point here is “Thy Kingdom Come,” essentially a church hymn set to reggae music. And the album concludes with an interesting cover of the Lennon/McCartney hippie chestnut, “Give Peace A Chance,” which is much faster than the original and quite groovy overall. The Maytals are generally overlooked in the pantheon of reggae giants, but this is unjust. Do your part in recognizing their legendary status by digging into this filling meal of classic Jamaican fare.