The Maytones (Vern Buckley and Gladstone "Son" Grant) were a Jamaican harmony duo whose seemingly effortless two-part harmonies rode over simple, unassuming rural rhythms, making them one of the best reggae rootsacts of the 1970s.
Alvin Ranglin's unadorned production style complimented Vern Buckley's simple and wise compositions perfectly, and the Maytones deserve to be much better known than they are. This collection from Charly Records lacks some key tracks ("Madness," "Bongo Man Rise"), but compensates for it by including some more obscure cuts, making it a good supplementary
Maytones purchase. The
Justin Hinds-like "Boat to Zion," included here, is a particular delight, along with the moving "Africa We Want to Go."