Toots and the Maytals - Got To Be Tough

Reggae pioneers' first album since 2010's Flip and Twist

Frederick "Toots" Hibbert formed the first iteration of the Maytals in 1962. A mainstay of Jamaica's ska and rocksteady scenes, Toots expanded the world's musical vocabulary with his first global hit, 1968's "Do the Reggay."

Throughout the course of the band's nearly six-decade career, the Maytals have gone through a number of lineups and explored a wide variety of genres, with the one constant being Toot's smoky, expressive vocals.

The new album's title track "Got to Be Tough" has all of the classic reggae benchmarks, including offbeat rhythms and urgent, staccato chords. It also continues Toots' longstanding interest in social justice. "Your days are getting shorter, ooh," he sings, "Our youths are getting slaughtered, yeah." Yet the message remains, if not exactly sunny, then at least optimistic. "Things may be hard — so hard — but we have to overcome it," he croons matter-of-factly, as if it's going to happen because there isn't an alternative.

Side 1

1. Drop Off Head

2. Just Brutal

3. Got To Be Tough

4. Freedom Train

5. Warning Warning

Side 2

1. Good Thing That You Call -

2. Stand Accused

3. Three Little Birds (feat. Ziggy Marley)

4. Having a Party

5. Struggle

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