Conceived by producer Ralph Sall as a reggae counterpart to The Traveling Wilburys, The Mighty Rootsmen laid down tracks for their self-titled album in 2010, but the sessions went unreleased at the time. It wasn’t for lack of marquee names, though. The lineup features standout vocalists – Toots Hibbert (of Toots and the Maytals), Gregory Isaacs, Mykal Rose (ex-Black Uhuru), and Luciano – as well as top session players including guitarist Mikey Chung, drummer Sly Dunbar, and bassist Robbie Shakespeare. After more than a decade, the tapes — comprising of some well-known Top 40 hits in a fresh light — have finally been released on The Mighty Rootsmen LP.
Emphasizing upbeat material drawn almost entirely from the '70s, this genial set embraces a classic sound, which includes a robust horn section and gospel-tinged female backing voices in the mix. While all the singers shine, Hibbert is the star, performing with the gruff fervor that has evoked comparisons to Otis Redding over the years.
