Legendary Jamaican act Toots and The Maytals has released a cover version of the Bob Marley classic, “Three Little Birds,” that now features Bob’s eldest son Ziggy Marley contributing guest vocals.
The new, decidedly uptempo take on the beloved reggae standard was produced by frontman Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, with co-production coming from his Kingston-based Reggae Center studio cohort Nigel Burrell (Anthony B, I-Wayne, Sizzla), UK-based Youth (Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Primal Scream), Trojan Jamaica label co-chief Zak Starkey, and additional production work from label co-chief Sharna “Sshh” Liguz.
The reimagining of “Three Little Birds” also features percussion from The Beatles’ former drummer Ringo Starr, plus Zak Starkey on guitar, and Sly Dunbar (of prolific Jamaican production duo Sly & Robbie) on drums.
“Three Little Birds (ft. Ziggy Marley)” debuted on Ebro Darden’s Beats 1
show on Apple Music, and is the third track to be released from Toots and The Maytals’ highly-anticipated forthcoming studio album Got To Be Tough out via Trojan Jamaica/BMG on August 28.
Preceding today’s release, “Got To Be Tough” the single dropped in June and was the first original release from Toots in almost a decade. The track was hailed as an“inspirational anthem” by PASTE Magazine and recognized as a “reminder to stay strong when corrupt systems rear their heads” by Rolling Stone Magazine. “Warning Warning” followed in July, with Consequence of Sound acknowledging “leader and founder Frederick “Toots” Hibbert’s enduring commitment to social justice issues.”
The energizing provocation of the forthcoming album Got To Be Tough renews the near six-decade career of the man who launched a new sound and genre with his 1968 release, “Do The Reggay.” It’s a reminder that through Toots’ creative veins run all the roots and shoots of the Black Diaspora. Blues, soul, r’n’b, funk, jazz, reggae, African griots – Toots honors, embodies and owns them. Throwing down an authoritative guide: how to survive and thrive among our earth challenges.
He hipped our heads in the 1970’s with the dynamic pan-Africanism of “Funky Kingston” and the early warning message of “Pressure Drop;” re-defining soul with the Toots In Memphis LP in the 80’s.
Toots has constantly evolved while staying uniquely the same.
The multiple GRAMMY® Award nominated and winning musician, vocalist, songwriter, producer and icon has made the wait worthwhile, producing the album himself, he has crafted a stubborn groove, designed to inspire tenacity, while splendidly balancing joy and anger, pain and healing.
Tough, though the message is, your body has to respond to these songs, and your mind will follow. An impeccable performer himself, Toots knows that the dance itself is a primal exorcism; a greater guarantee than any that, helped by heeding this warning, we will live to ‘Do The Reggay’ into the 21st century and beyond.
Got To Be Tough the album will be available worldwide from August 28.
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