MENTO CLASSICS FROM THE 50's (vinyl)

Description

THE MENTO: JAMAICA'S FIRST POPULAR MUSIC, THE ORIGINS OF REGGAE In late 1950s Jamaica, mento was THE music of the moment. Denzil Laing, a percussionist and singer, formed a trio that would change its name several times (Wigglers, Denzil Laing Trio, The Wrigglers, Denzil Laing & The Wrigglers...) to play in hotels and clubs. Little information from Laing's mento period has survived the ages, just a handful of records. He then continued his career in rocksteady and reggae like so many others, recording with the biggest names (Clancy Eccles, Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals...). MaAuLa Records has compiled some gems for this LP. The complete collection of 78s, owned by Canadian collector The Real Dj Gibs, features 6 tracks for Side A, in impeccable condition and in a typical rural mento trio format. And a selection of 6 tracks from the two LPs recorded by the group for Side B, in a more orchestrated version, with several guest musicians, including probably the famous Ernest Ranglin. No sound processing has been done, just the original roots sound!