Jackie Mittoo - Drum Song

Here's one of the finest songs from the rocksteady era. Not only is it an incredible composition but over time the riddim has become a stone-cold classic. It lies up there with the likes of Real Rock and My Conversation.

1968, Jackie Mittoo, one of the island's most talented keyboard players ever, releases a rocksteady album that will have a major impact on the future of Jamaican music.

A collection of singles from that period, many tracks have become legendary. Any person with a mild knowledge of reggae needs only to listen to, say, One Step Beyond or Hot Milk to realise how many foundation songs are in this set.

Drum Song opens up on a slow beat and gentle kette drumming, with an oriental sounding guitar carefully following the bassline. These last two are the cornerstone of the song as this bassline is particularly easy to identify and has always been put forward on further updates.

Jackie then plays the first keys on his organ and the brass section accompanies him. As the kette speeds up the brass and organ take turns and we can picture ourselves surrounded by the players amongst the trees on the beach from the album's cover. Only one word can describe the feeling that is conveyed here : haunting.

There are many solid updates of the riddim (Bunny Lee, Prince Far I, Wackies, Digital B...) and an impressive list of versions can be found on Riddimguide.