Funky Kingston

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Funky Kingston
Funky Kingston cover.jpg
Studio album by Toots and the Maytals
Released circa March / April 1972 (UK)
1975 (US)
Recorded 1972;[1]
Dynamic Sounds Studios (Kingston),
Island Studios (Notting Hill)
Genre Reggae
Length 34:56
Label Dragon Records (Jamaica, U.K.)
Mango Records (U.S.)
Producer Chris Blackwell,
Warwick Lyn,
Dave Bloxham
Toots and the Maytals chronology
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Funky Kingston is the name of two albums by reggae singing group Toots and the Maytals. The first was issued in Jamaica and the United Kingdom in 1972 on Dragon Records, DRLS 5002, a subsidiary label of Island Records, owned by Chris Blackwell.[2] A different album, with the same cover and title, was issued in the United States in 1975 on Mango Records, MLPS 9330. That album peaked at #164 on the Billboard 200 and was voted the eleventh best album of 1975 in the annual Pazz & Jop poll.[3] In 2003, the American version was placed at number 378 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[4]

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".[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[citation needed] 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

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4/5 stars[8]
Robert Christgau A−[9]
Rolling Stone 5/5 stars[10]
Sputnikmusic 4.0/5 stars[11]

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[12] while the review is of the US release "arguably their best album".[8]) 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".[13]

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

1975 track listing

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

Charts

Chart (1976) Peak
position
Billboard Pop Albums[14] 164

References

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External links

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