Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!
Sweet Jamaican Mento Music
Its Influence & Instruments
(Plus A Video)
Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.
New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!
Ridlle Me Dis: What Jamaican music form use authentic Jamaican materials, catchy, captivating, and will have you dancing your feet off; the minute second, you hear it?
Jamaican Mento Music, of course :-)
New! Ready To Visit Jamaica?
Join countless of travelers who have already unlocked the secrets to experiencing Jamaica on a budget. Click Here and find out how.
And, if you ever need a trustworthy, friendly and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!
Influence and Instruments
This unique Jamaican music borrows from at least three influences; African (work songs from slavery), European (dance forms such as quadrille) and even Jamaican folk music (pocomania).
Video: What Does Jamaican Mento Sound Like?
Mento combines the rhythmic, vibrant sound of acoustic instruments such as the maracas, banjo, rhumba box (bass kalimbas - the player sits on the box, reaching down between his/her legs to pluck the prongs) and even the common grate (commonly found in Jamaican kitchens).
Together these instruments create an uplifting rhythm that was first recorded on dub plates or 78 RPM vinyl records. Its first exponents included street singers – so called because the street-sides were their stage- such as Slim and Sam, Bedassie and Williams who were known as mento singers.
Traditional Mento has greatly influenced Ska, Reggae, Dub, and and later contemporary Mento band, such as Stanley Beckford, The Jolly Boys and Blue Gaze.
Dynamic Mento
It was therefore easy to integrate mento into Jamaica’s musical fabric from its inception. It had wide commercial appeal, attracting audiences who, captivated by the sound, would gather in marketplaces and street corners to hear the singers perform live.
They would also purchase records from the performers who were basically walking record shops. Night clubs helped to create interest in the music as they too would play mento music for their patrons.
Interestingly:
- Mento's lyrics are typically comedic. Usually portraying the issues relating to Jamaican life.
- Mento's vocalists had a wide range of styles and pitches with the most mento – sounding being the, the nasal, rural sound that some mento singers possessed. It's a sound with strong echoes of African heritage.
- At its peak mento was popular in both the USA and the UK.
- Mento act, Lord Flea, appeared on American TV shows, two Hollywood films and released an album for Capitol Records.
- Alerth Bedassie and Everald Williams emerged from being street singers to operate as The Chin’s Calypso Sextet in the 1950’s.
They had hits such as Boogu Yagga Gal. In a nutshell Boogu (pronounced Bu-gu) and Yagga (pronounced Yah-ga) Gal (patios for Girl), refers to a female who behaves in an unladylike manner (rough, coarse or uncouth).
New! Top Jamaican Mento Songs
Below are 25 of the all-time favorite Jamaican mento songs. Just search for each on YouTube, turn up your speakers, and relive those great memories!
| # | Song | Artiste |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not Me (Man Smart, Woman Smarter) | Hubert Porter |
| 2 | Bongo Man | Louse Bennett |
| 3 | Take Her To Jamaica | Lord Messam |
| 4 | Naughty Little Flea | Lord Flea |
| 5 | Magic Composer | Lord Flea |
| 6 | Talking Parrot | Composer |
| 7 | Hold Im Joe | Lord Composer |
| 8 | Leave My Kiselo | Stanley Beckford |
| 9 | Big Bamboo | The Jolly Boys |
| 10 | Take me back to Jamaica | The Jolly Boys |
| 11 | Hill and Gully Ride | Lord Composer |
| 12 | Sollas Market | Lord Power and his Calypso Quartet |
| 13 | Touch Me Tomato | Jolly Boys |
| 14 | Rukumbine | The Jolly Boys |
| 15 | Hold Im Joe | Lord Composer |
| 16 | Healing In The Barn Yard | Everard Williams |
| 17 | Sweet Jamaica | The Calypsonians |
| 18 | Suzie | Baba Motta and His Jamaicans |
| 19 | Jamaican Tales | Stanley Beckford |
| 20 | Night Food | Bedasse w. Calypso Quintet |
| 21 | Brown Skin Gal | Count Owen & His Calypsonians |
| 22 | Baba Kill Me Goat A Line | Laurel Aitken |
| 23 | Long Time Gal | Miss Lou (Louise Bennett) |
| 24 | Old Lady You Mash Me Toe | Joe Dawkins |
| 25 | Chico Chico | Count Sticky & His Calypsonians |
Developments In Jamaican Mento Music
- The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) helped to drive the resurgence of mento by releasing an album in 2000.
- In 2002, “Stanley Plays Mento”, a collaboration with The Blue Glaze Mento Band, was released.
This CD comprised classic mento tracks, from Bob Marley, and some of Stanley's reggae-mento songs; Broom Weed, being a memorable track. - In 2004, Louie Culture recorded "Donkey Back". Dancehall vocals and rhythms were successfully merged with a mento theme.
- In April 2006 the "Chaka Chaka" dancehall riddim broke, featuring harmonica, banjo, fiddle swoops (played on guitar), a bass line simple enough for a rumba box, and a pre-reggae beat.
- In 2010, The Jolly Boys returned to recording with an album, video and web site; they subsequently toured Europe and the US.
- Also in 2010 Tallawah Mento Band, released a strong CD. In 2011, The Blue Blaze Mento Band released a guest star filled compilation.
- In 2013 Larry and the Mento Boys released an 18 song CD & the double CD golden-age collection called “Mento Not Calypso”.
YouTube Video Of Jamaican Mento Music
By now you may be itching to try mento. Go ahead, its available for downloading on iTunes. If you are in Jamaica why not give a listen to the Mighty Beestons ( that plays regularly at the Sandals South Coast Resort) or Yardy Vibes?
Not home, no prob, below is a recent video from Yardy Vibes Mento band for your enjoyment.
Back To Top of Jamaican Mento Music
You might like these as well
Damian Marley | The Musical Heir of Reggae's Legacy
Bob Marley is the most iconic reggae legend from Jamaica and his son, Damian Marley has been carrying on that legacy with pride.
Jamaican Dancehall Artists from the 80s and 90s
Dancehall today would not be the same without these Jamaican dancehall artists from the 80s and 90s. Can you guess who they are?
Peter Tosh | A Pioneer of Reggae Music
In our vibrant world of Jamaican reggae music, few artists have left a mark as incredible as Peter Tosh.
Return To Reggae Music From Jamaican Mento Music
Return To My-Island-Jamaica.com HomePage from Jamaican Mento Music
New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿
 |
You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now! |
See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!
 |
My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers. |
Read More ...
New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!
P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for?
Still need help?
Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!
Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.
NEW! Join the countless number of travelers experiencing Jamaica on a budget 👇🏿
Featured Video!
New Here?
I recommend you START HERE to enjoy the best of this website!
New! For Authentic Jamaican products, from my very own hands, visit my Etsy store here.
Recent Articles
-
What is Jamaican cuisine known for?
Oct 02, 23 08:17 PM
What is Jamaican cuisine known for? Well, as a Jamaican and a self-proclaimed foodie, I think I have an idea. -
How Can I Get My Divorce Papers in Jamaica?
Oct 02, 23 07:30 PM
RESPONSE: by Sheree-Anita Shearer My former wife refuses to give me the divorce paper and I need to get married. Can I go to the Supreme court in Kingston -
Sales Representative Needed At BITSolutions
Oct 02, 23 03:31 PM
BITSolutions has a vacancy for an experienced Sales and Customer Service Executive to join its busy and successful Sales & Marketing Team. The Sales and -
What Things Represent Jamaican Culture?
Oct 01, 23 07:57 PM
What things represent Jamaican culture? From our music to our delectable cuisine, the things that represent our culture are unique to us and hard to miss. -
What are the Best Places for a Pleasant Stay in Jamaica?
Oct 01, 23 12:05 PM
What are the best places for a pleasant stay in Jamaica? While almost anywhere in Jamaica can provide a pleasant vacation, these are your top options.
About The Author
A patriotic Jamaican who adores its culture, Wellesley has been using this medium to share what he calls 'the uniqueness of Jamaica with the world' since April 2007.
To date, he serves over 9,300 unique readers / viewers per day (and over 1.1millon page views monthly)
His efforts have earned this site featured positions in local publications, including the Jamaica Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica, Carlong Publishers, as well as recognition from numerous prestigious international agencies and universities. Read more about him here.
He invites you to subscribe to this site to stay updated on all the latest and check out his unique Jamaican products on his e-store.
If you are on social media, here are the links to follow his latest posts:
You are also invited to join his exclusive JAMHearts community where like-minded Jamaican enthusiasts discuss all things Jamaican.
Didn't Find What You Are Seeking?
Do a quick site search here:
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.