Toots and The Maytals
Funky Kingston
Written-By – F. Hibbert
4:21
A2 In The Dark
Written-By – F. Hibbert
2:46
A3 Funky Kingston
Written-By – F. Hibbert
4:55
A4 Love Is Gonna Let Me Down
Written-By – F. Hibbert
3:14
A5 Louie Louie
Written-By – Richard Berry
3:30
B1 Pomp And Pride
Written-By – F. Hibbert
4:30
B2 Got To Be There
Written-By – F. Hibbert
3:04
B3 Country Road
Written-By – Danoff, Denver, Nivert
3:21
B4 Pressure Drop
Written-By – F. Hibbert
3:43
B5 Sailin' On
Written-By – F. Hibbert
3:32
Label: Mango – MLPS-9330
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Reggae
Style: Reggae, Reggae-Pop, Roots Reggae
Toots & The Maytals’ Funky Kingston (1975), specifically the Mango (MLPS-9330) US release, is widely considered one of the greatest reggae albums ever recorded. While the original 1973 Jamaican version focused on then-new material, this 1975 edition is a "best-of" compilation that added iconic tracks like "Pressure Drop" to introduce the band to American audiences.
Critics often describe it as a "reggae-soul" masterpiece, highlighting Frederick "Toots" Hibbert’s powerful, Otis Redding-esque vocals. Pitchfork notes its "country soul" and how it captures roots reggae at its creative peak.
Track Highlights:-
"Funky Kingston": The title track is hailed for its perfect blend of reggae rhythm and James Brown-style funk breakdowns.
Iconic Covers: Toots famously "Jamaicanizes" American classics, most notably John Denver's "Country Road" and Richard Berry's "Louie Louie".
"Pressure Drop": Frequently cited as a genre-defining track, it deals with themes of karma and retribution with infectious energy.
"Time Tough": A soulful exploration of working-class struggle that remains a fan favorite for its "saccharine and sand" perfection.
The Mango MLPS-9330 release is the definitive version for many listeners because it collects the group's most essential hits into a single, high-energy experience that successfully bridged the gap between Jamaican roots and Western soul. It consistently appears on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, most recently at #344.
Reggae Got Soul
A2 Premature 3:09
A3 So Bad 2:53
A4 Six And Seven Books 3:28
A5 I Shall Sing 2:40
B1 Reggae Got Soul 3:05
B2 Everybody Needs Lovin' 3:07
B3 Living In The Ghetto 3:35
B4 True Love Is Hard To Find 4:10
B5 Never You Change 3:09
Label: Island Records – ILPS 9374
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: UK
Released: 1976
Genre: Reggae
Style: Roots Reggae