Main Stage - Live at Wakarusa 2011

Toots & The Maytals

D&F Music, Kingston, Jamaica

Toots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are considered legends of ska and reggae music. Their sound is a unique, original combination of gospel, ska, soul, reggae and rock. Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert, the leader of the group, was born in the Parish of Clarendon, Jamaica as the youngest of seven children, growing up singing gospel music in a church choir, before moving to Kingston in 1961 at the age of sixteen. In Kingston, Hibbert met Henry 'Raleigh' Gordon and Nathaniel 'Jerry' McCarthy, and they went on to form the Maytals. The vocal trio recorded their first album for producer Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd at Studio One in 1962-63. With musical backing from Dodd’s house band, the Skatalites, the Maytals’ close-harmony gospel singing ensured instant success, and the classic album still is essential listening for reggae and ska fans today. In 1967 they group changed their name officially to Toots & The Maytals, and was later featured in 'The Harder They Come', the 1972 film and soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff, cited by many as one of the best soundtracks of all time. After having released several successful albums and having toured throughout the world for many years, Toots & The Maytals disbanded in the early 1980s, but reformed in the early 90s to do just that: continue touring and recording successfully - which, indeed, is what they've done ever since. This set was recorded live at Wakarusa Festival 2011 at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas.