:: Toots & the Maytals - True Love

Toots & the Maytals

How do you make reggae accessible to the non-Rastafarian? It is an erroneous question really, especially in today’s current climate of war and discontent. As Bob Marley showed, reggae is a powerful communicator, tin drums and native instruments expressing both pain and happiness equally as well. For some reason sorrow always seems sweeter when the luscious beats and distinctive vocals of the reggae performer accompany it. If you require any more to recommend the genre, how about hearing a selection of classic reggae tracks accompanied by some of your favourite artists? Sounds interesting I hear you say? Well believe me it is! The teaming of Toots and the Maytals with the likes of Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams and Ben Harper just to name a few, is not only unique it’s inspired. ‘True Love’ could easily have been a reggae music train wreck, but it’s actually the complete opposite. It is exciting listening to these performers, all strong individuals in their own right, mould their talents and move to the reggae beat like Rastafarian pro’s. As with everything there are a couple of definite standouts, like Ryan Adams, Bonnie Raitt, and No Doubt, who’s rendition of Monkey Man has the infectious qualities of a Hi-5 beat to four year old ears. So if you like your music a little different and most definitely fresh, get some ‘True Love’ ASAP.