Reggae pioneers Toots and the Maytals bring their classic roots style reggae to Winooski, Vermont's Higher Ground tonight. Toots and the Maytals are coming off of a recent Grammy nomination for best reggae album (for 1998's "Ska Father")as well as opening for the Dave Matthews Band on their latest tour.
Long considered one of the pioneers of roots reggae, Toots and the Maytals have been recording for nearly 40 years on various labels. Born into extreme poverty in western Jamaica, frontsman Toots Hibbert first took up music as a choirboy in his father's church. Eager to become a musician, Toots moved to Kingston and formed the Maytals with singers Raleigh Gordon and Nathanial Matthias. The group cut their first album in 1958.
Toots was turned on to the ideals of Rastafarianism by his bandmates soon after the completion of the album, although he never grew dreadlocks or abandoned his Seventh Day Adventist upbringing.
Heavily influenced by Jamaican Ska pioneers The Skatalites, Toots began focusing on Ska music. A fusion of American R&B, jazz and calypso, the sounds of Jamaican Ska reflected the diverse heritage of the island. As the '60s wore on, Jamaican music became slower and had a decidedly more mellow beat. Among Toots' peers were Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Joe Higgs.
His single "54-46 that's my number" (about his time in prison on marijuana possession charges) was a smash hit in Jamaica and Britain. In the late '60s the music became more upbeat and danceable, and modern reggae was born. Toots coined the term "reggae" in his 1968 single "Do the Reggay."
The '70s and '80s were wonderful decades for Toots and the Maytals. With the growing popularity of reggae in the United States, his band toured nationwide supporting his albums. The 1974 classic "In the Dark" remains one of the greatest reggae albums of all time. In 1978, Toots even started his own independent label-Righteous-choosing to release singles not available on his Island Jamaica recordings.
Toots continued to release multiple albums in the '80s and '90s while keeping up a vigorous touring schedule. He has influenced current genres such as Punk Ska and reggae dancehall.
Fans who attend their concerts are guaranteed a full night of powerful ganja tinged reggae beats and high-energy showmanship from Toots and his band. Even the most casual music fan comes away satisfied and open-eyed at the end of a Toots show.
According to a web page devoted to his history, Toots feels he has music in his bones.
"Real reggae is roots, and the rest of what is coming out is branches. Reggae music always be on top. You have to have something with a gospel feel. It's wicked, you know? It's Roots, Rock, Reggae. The roots- that's what I am," Toots said.
Toots and the Maytals play at Higher Ground in Winooski, Vermont tonight. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or by calling 802-86-FLYNN.
