Search - Jackie Mittoo :: Wishbone

Wishbone
Jackie Mittoo
Wishbone
Genres: International Music, Pop, R&B
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

Black, bold, and beautiful, the joyous reissuing of Jackie Mittoo's extra-rare Canadian debut Wishbone is the fourth and perhaps most anticipated release in Light In The Attic's ongoing Jamaica to Toronto series. Over ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Jackie Mittoo
Title: Wishbone
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: LIGHT IN THE ATTIC
Original Release Date: 1/1/1971
Re-Release Date: 11/7/2006
Genres: International Music, Pop, R&B
Styles: Reggae, Soul
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 826853002127, 825853002120

Synopsis

Album Description
Black, bold, and beautiful, the joyous reissuing of Jackie Mittoo's extra-rare Canadian debut Wishbone is the fourth and perhaps most anticipated release in Light In The Attic's ongoing Jamaica to Toronto series. Over the years many have paid tribute to the dynamic range and skill of the late, great Jackie Mittoo. From the emergence of ska right through to rocksteady and the boss sounds of reggae, he was front and center -- a pivotal figure and a sharp move-maker. Even after relocating to Canada, a land not necessarily known for its funk factor, this Studio One veteran worked tirelessly to share his gift and spread the music of Jamaica to a wider audience. In 1971, Mittoo gave a deep, warm hello kiss to his adopted nation. In 2006, we are proud to re-release this ambitious sure shot from the original two-track masters. Following the worldwide critical and commercial success of this year's Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967-1974 (LITA 019), the heavenly roots/dub majesty of Noel Ellis (LITA 020), and 2004's Wayne McGhie & The Sounds Of Joy (LITA 008). Art direction is once again taken care of by the talented Vincent Cook (2STEP-Tokyo) and contains thoughtful design and immaculate presentation to match the soulful sounds within. Both CD and LP versions of Wishbone are also accompanied by an extensive essay from Jamaica-Toronto series producer, DJ, and Canadian music historian Kevin Howes (AKA Sipreano), making this release a visual and aural snapshot of an era long forgotten. Wishbone's 12 songs reach far beyond the island rhythms of reggae and into the realms of stone cold soul, funk, gospel and R&B -- an indication of the eclectic sounds that ruled the action-packed live music scene of Toronto in the day. Ranging from the entrancing Jamaica-meets-Santana vibe of "Grand Funk" to the undeniable percussive bounce of "Groovy Spirit," while "Soul Bird" sounds like an upbeat Jimmy Smith grinder, as the keyboard king takes us on an orchestral baroque/mod journey with the organ/harpsichord fuelled "Steeple In The Snow." Sweeping, ebullient Gospel-tinged Reggae comes courtesy of the vocal-strings-and tings "Love Of Life," and the cool rocksteady beat of the maestro's "Mother Funk." As one of the first Jamaican-Canadian albums to hit the 70s marketplace, Wishbone was a pioneering move from a recent immigrant. Criminally undocumented and kept a sweet soul secret by record collectors until now, this is a primetime slice of Mittoo magic, available to all. Meet Jackie and his reggae beat!
 

CD Reviews

JACKIE MIT-WHO?
Locks Lion | Blue Mountain Peak | 12/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"WISHBONE: Wow! This is Jackie Mittoo? The same Jackie Mittoo that rocked Studio One, Kingston, Jamaica and the rest of the world with classic cuts like HENRY THE GREAT, DRUM SONG, HOT MILK, RAM JAM and just about a million more? The Keyboard King? The Champion Of The Arena?



Yes, apparently this is THE Jackie Mittoo, OUR Jackie Mittoo - but this 1971 session, recorded in Toronto, Canada, is so far out of sync with what he was doing before or after, that you'll probably do a double or even triple take. I mean, surely you weren't actually expecting pop-lite arrangements ever so tastefully underscored by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra? Probably not, and as such, it's hard to know what to say about WISHBONE. It's nicely packaged by American label Light In The Attic, with great sleeve notes and photos of Jackie in action, but it sounds like it was made exclusively for easy-listening AM radio airplay, and it's so outrageously over-polished that it almost slides right back out of the CD player before you can push play. So, at first, I was somewhat dismayed, but the more I listened, the more I found myself actually enjoying this very fluffy, very sugary confection. Okay, it's not in the same division as what you might call Jackie's "real" stuff, his trailblazing ska scorchers, or the bare knuckled reggae ghetto funk that he recorded with Bunny Lee, but nonetheless, it's Jackie Mittoo, and it's for real!



Thus, we're treated to Jackie commandeering The Beatles' CARRY THAT WEIGHT for the swinging title tune, turning out a great sixties-era film score on GRAND FUNK, and - check this out - even doing a Saturday matinee-style rendition of his classic THE SNIPER (GROOVY SPIRIT), which just left me shaking my head and laughing. Somehow, some way, WISHBONE actually works, perhaps because it's being released around the Christmas holiday, and the spirit of the season is merry and bright. Be warned though, this probably isn't what you're hoping for from a long lost Jackie Mittoo record, but I say build a big one, kick back and give it a try!



I have no idea where to even begin to rate this recording - so I'm just giving five stars because, yes, it's JACKIE MITTOO!

"