THERE'S NO question reggae's legendary pioneers, Toots and the Maytals, make great music. But add collaborations with some mainstream rock 'n' roll greats and the music feels updated.
Much of True Love features remakes of Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert's classics with a twist a line-up that includes Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, No Doubt, Keith Richards and Bootsy Collins and The Roots.
Think Santana's 'Supernatural', only better.
SOLID PERFORMANCE
The solid performance of Toots and No Doubt the man who helped introduce ska to the mainstream and the band that helped bring along the 1990s ska rebirth - on the classic Monkey Man is a no-brainer. The blending of the rocking band and Toots' soulful voice is one of the album's gems.
Clapton takes front and centre on Pressure Drop, one of Toots' signature songs. Adams shines with Time Tough.
But understand, this album belongs to Toots and The Maytals.
During the collaboration with Jeff Beck on 54-46 Was My Number, a song about the singer's time in jail - Toots owns the song with his scatting.
Sadly missing from the album is Do the Reggae, the 1968 song by Toots that many credit with giving reggae its name.
