Monkey Man

Toots And The Maytals – Monkey Man

AMG MM

MM.mp3

A big hit for Toots And The Maytals, but there seems to be some dispute as to whether they came up with the rhythm or (more likely) it was based on ‘Mama Look Deh’. ‘Monkey Man’ is available on the Trojan UK Hits Box Set.

The Pioneers / The Reggae Boys – Mama Look Deh

AMG 835A

Thanks to 45cat for label scan.

AMG%20835A.mp3

Probably the first track to use this rhythm. ’Mama Look Deh’ is available on the VP records CD Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years (1967-73).

Ansel Collins And The Beverley’s All Stars – High Voltage

AMG MM-BAMG MM-HVAMG MM-V1

Thanks to Dave for label scan.

MM-B.mp3

An organ cut by Ansel Collins released under the names of both ‘High Voltage’ and ‘Monkey Version 1′ on Trojan. ‘High Voltage’ was available on the now deleted Trojan CD Double Barrel The Best Of Dave And Ansel Collins.

Jackie Mittoo And Sound Dimension – Dark Of The Moon

AMG MM-BA

Thanks to 45cat for label scan.

MM-BA.mp3

Another organ cut, this time by Jackie Mittoo. ‘Dark Of The Moon’ is to the best of my knowledge not available on CD.

The Upsetters – Mama Look Deh (Monkey Man)

AMG MM-BL

MM-BL.mp3

Released on the Upsetter label ‘Mama Look Deh (Monkey Man)’ is yet another organ number. It was available on the now deleted Trojan CD set The Complete UK Upsetters Singles.

Lee’s All Stars – Annie Pama

AMG MM-P

Thanks to 45cat for label scan.

MM-P.mp3

Another instrumental cut but this time with horns instead of the organ. I don’t think ‘Annie Pama’ is available on CD.

Max Romeo – Cute Man

AMG MM-U

Thanks to 45cat for label scan.

MM-U.mp3

Written in response to The Maytones’ Funny Man. It is not available on cd.

The Soulmates – On The Move

AMG 842A

Thanks to 45cat for label scan.

AMG%20842A.mp3

Featuring an uncredited Count Machukie ‘On The Move’ is a DJ cut on the ‘Mama Look Deh’ / ‘Monkey Man’ rhythm. Available on the Deluxe Edition of Tighten Up Vol. 2 (Trojan, 2009)

The Destroyers – Niney Special

AMG 856A

Thanks to 45cat for label scan.

AMG%20856A.mp3

The instrumental number ‘Niney Special’ is not as far as I know available on CD.

Byron Lee And The Dragonaires – Monkey Man

AMG MM-RB
MM-RB.mp3

A Byron Lee cover of ‘Monkey Man’, which was available on the Jamaica Gold CD Byron Lee And The Dragonaires – Reggay Blast Off. It has now been deleted.

The Freedom Singers – Monkey Man

AMG Blank
TFS.mp3
A Studio 1 cut of ‘Monkey Man’ which as far as I know is not on CD.

There are also any number of covers of ‘Monkey Man’ by non-reggae groups.


Comments

Monkey Man — 8 Comments

  1. “On The Move” by (Count Machuki &) The Soulmates is available on the Deluxe Edition of Tighten Up Vol. 2 (Trojan, 2009).

  2. I don’t consider Monkey Man and Mama Look Deh to be the same rhythm. The bass lines are different. They just don’t sound the same to my ear.

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