The Jolly Boys are back. From the sounds of calypso music mixed with mainstream chart toppers check out the Jolly Boys new album, ‘Great Expectations – the birth of modern mento.’ Due for release on 20 September 2010 the Jamaican legends have teamed up with Albert Minott to tour the UK this summer.
Starting at the Bush Hall in London and ending up at the Big Chill Festival in August, the Jolly Boys are excited to be playing at many UK top venues. From Port Antonio, Jamaica, the jolly singers were established in the 1950s and have continued to make classic Jamaican mento style music.
For what has been named the most recognisable mento band in the world, the Jolly Boys have found a style that is unique to anything else. If you are wondering what mento music is, let me tell you. It’s the time when folk hit reggae, to put it simply.
Some say it’s the unfamiliar music making outside of reggae and ska, others say its Jamaican dance-hall music. Nevertheless it’s rather difficult to come by, so guys and girls you are in for a real treat. With the help of Jon Baker, the founder of Gee Street Records, the Jolly boys are attempting something new, something different.
Let’s just say the Jolly Boys take a dip into contemporary music whilst adding their mento rhythms and backings. From a calypso version of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’ to Jerry Lee Lewis’ ‘Great Balls of Fire’, the blends and harmonies of the Jamaican singing and instruments is a rare musical entity on its own.
Listen to Albert, Joseph, Derrick, Allan and Egbert, the foundation group who combine funky beats with banjos, maracas and rumba boxes. The vintage music was mixed by British mix engineer Tom Elmhirst, who has previously worked with Lily Allen, Mark Ronson and Hot Chip.
Great Expectations is the type of music you can imagine yourself doing the limbo too or kicking back in the sun escaping from every day realities. To watch the boys in action, check out this YouTube video:
Make sure you take the time to see the Jolly Boys this summer, they won’t let you down.
Dates are as follows:
JULY
23rd July – Bush Hall, London
24th July, Secret Garden Party Festival
31st July – Cardiff Big Weekend
AUGUST
1st August – Cambridge Folk Festival
4th August – Coalition, Brighton
8th August – Big Chill Festival
By Sarah Hartland
