The Jolly Boys

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About The Jolly Boys

The Jolly Boys are the foremost performers of mento, the ribald, witty first cousin of Jamaican reggae. Like reggae, mento is marked by a shuffling, syncopated guitar strum, an irreverent attitude, and a lazy, swaying danceability. Unlike reggae, mento has no sacramental roots, nor does it strain for profundity. Instead, mento makes a religion of sexual braggadocio, drinking, and good times. The Jolly Boys have been composing and performing mentos for decades. Their sound is derived from rhythmic bongo playing, along with solos by the banjo and kalimba (finger piano). They released a few albums in the '90s and 2000s, including 1991’s Sunshine N’ Water, 2000's Live in Tokyo, and 2010’s Great Expectation. ~ Leon Jackson & Steve Leggett

ORIGIN
Port Antonio, Jamaica
FORMED
1955
GENRE
Reggae

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