Funky Kingston

Content

The original Funky Kingston acknowledged American rhythm and blues with covers of songs by Ike Turner and Shep and the Limelites, along with a reggae take on Richard Berry's composition, "Louie Louie".

In 1975, a revised version of the album was released in the United States. It kept only three tracks from the Jamaican album, substituting six taken from the follow-up In the Dark, adding in the 1969 "Pressure Drop" single which had been previously issued on album with The Harder They Come.

On March 25, 2003, Funky Kingston was released on compact disc by Universal complete in its original format, along with the Jamaican In the Dark album and the "Pressure Drop" single.

Context

When the music for this album was recorded at Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston, reggae music was little known outside of its native Jamaica, other than in musical circles. The first international release by The Wailers, Catch A Fire, would not be until 1973. Awareness of reggae began to change in 1972 with the release of the seminal film The Harder They Come (1972), which became a cult hit that year in the UK, with its soundtrack featuring two numbers by the Maytals. The Maytals had been consistent hit makers in Jamaica during the 1960s, and had even given the genre its name with their single "Do the Reggay". As he would with the Wailers the following year, producer Chris Blackwell tailored the Maytals for the international market on this album.

Appearances in other media

The title track, "Funky Kingston", appears in the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas video game soundtrack, on the fictitious radio station K-Jah West. It also features as the opening theme for the reality show Miami Ink. It was the basis for the "Funky Vodka" track, which in turn fueled "Don't Stop The Party". The song can be heard in the film "Notes On A Scandal" where the Hart family can be seen dancing to it.

Reception

Given the significant differences between the two versions of this album, critical reception varies depending on which version is being reviewed. (The Allmusic rating is based on the original Jamaican release while the review is of the US release "arguably their best album".) The reception of the US release invariably regards it as a classic given its inclusion in several "best of" lists. The original Rolling Stone review states that "this is the cream of their crop, with a couple of exceptions". Funky Kingston, Toots and the Maytals’ first release to be distributed by Chris Blackwell’s Island Records label proved to be a critical triumph. Rock critic Lester Bangs, writing in Stereo Review, described the album as “perfection, the most exciting and diversified set of reggae tunes by a single artist yet released.”

Track listing

All songs written by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert except as indicated.

Side one

1. "Sit Right Down" — 4:44
2. "Pomp And Pride" — 4:30
3. "Louie, Louie" (Richard Berry) — 5:46
4. "I Can't Believe" (Ike Turner) — 3:29

Side two

1. "Redemption Song" — 3:26
2. "Daddy's Home" (James Sheppard, Clarence Bassett, Charles Baskerville) — 5:05
3. "Funky Kingston" — 4:54
4. "It Was Written Down" — 3:04

Side one

1. "Time Tough" — 4:23
2. "In the Dark" (F. Hibbert, E. Chin) — 2:48
3. "Funky Kingston" — 4:54
4. "Love is Gonna Let Me Down" — 3:15 listed as "Love's Gonna Walk Out on Me" on Jamaican release
5. "Louie, Louie" (Richard Berry) — 5:46

Side two

1. "Pomp and Pride" — 4:30
2. "Got to Be There" — 3:06
3. "Country Road" (Bill Danoff, John Denver, Taffy Nivert) — 3:23
4. "Pressure Drop" — 3:46
5. "Sailin' On" — 3:35

Personnel