The Maytones
formed - c.1965
(Kingston, Jamaica)
Vernon Buckley - Gladstone Grant
The Maytones comprised Vernon Buckley and Gladstone Grant and began recording in the late 60s with Alvin 'GG' Ranglin. In 1970 they released 'Black And White', which was considered to be the alternative reggae cut to Greyhound 's successful pop hit. They also enjoyed hits in the early 70s with 'Preachin' Love', '(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right', 'Brown Girl' and 'Funny Man'. These successes were generally love songs, but with subsequent releases they recorded in a more serious vein, concentrating on a Rastafarian theme. 'Judas', 'Babylon A Fall' and 'Run Babylon' signalled the direction in which reggae was heading. Conscientious lyrics and a clarion call for black pride resulted in the duo achieving cult status.
They continued releasing hits through to the mid-70s, then returned to Ranglin at the Channel One Recording Studio, securing a success with Madness, which surfaced in the UK through Burning Sounds. The group were inauspiciously overlooked by Virgin Records when the latter were signing all the major acts in Jamaica. Fellow vocal group and Virgin signing the Mighty Diamonds (The) had previously recorded as the Diamonds. This inspired Ranglin and Clement Bushay to promote the duo as the Mighty Maytones. The release of Boat To Zion, including the title track, was a hit within the West Indian community but failed to match the success of other Rastafarian-influenced vocal groups. The duo recorded in heavy patois and this may have been the reason why they were overlooked. Their image did not portray the media idea of the typical Rastafarian, without locks or red, gold and green outfits, and they were therefore generally ignored. In 1980 Ranglin compiled a collection of the duo's work, including recordings from 1976 sessions. Bushay also compiled a Best Of, which featured tracks lifted from the two earlier releases.
-- Courtesy (Encyclopedia of Popular Music) -- |
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