Toots and the Maytals – Light Your Light (Concord Music, 2007)
On Light Your Light, Toots and the Maytals return to their roots, singing classics as well as new pieces. The overall feel of this superb album is very bluesy, with excellent electric and acoustic guitar work, combining roots reggae, blues, R&B, ska, Gospel and rock.
The opening track is a scorcher titled “Johnny Coolman,” which first recorded in the 1970s. This blues piece demonstrates that Toots Hibbert could have a separate career as a top of the line bluesman.
Bonnie Raitt is one of the most eclectic rock musicians in recent years. She has recorded with Malian musicians and blues artists. She joins Toots and the Maytals adding her vocals and wicked slide guitar.
Hopton Hibbert, Toots’s son, plays bass in one of the pieces of the album, showing that the Hibberts have developed a strong musical tradition.
Buy Light Your Light.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.