Knock Out!

While it may not pack the wallop of earlier efforts like Funky Kingston or even Reggae Got Soul, this 1981 release is a thoroughly enjoyable slice of crossover reggae. As always, lead singer Toots Hibbert's vocals are warm and satisfying, and the arrangements and production are clean and crisp without ever sounding slick. Most importantly, though, the songs are uniformly strong. Knock Out! is a great example of the type of excellent pop reggae that was being recorded in the early '80s, before being largely abandoned for a more homogenized, polished sound. The album kicks off with the roots-inflected "Careless Ethiopians," a plea to Rastas who have gone astray. The Rasta-conscious themes continue on the slow groove of "Never Get Weary" and the rollicking "Revival Time." Most of the album, though, is given over to more romantic subject matter. In fact, the remaining six tracks are all love songs in one form or another. The highlight of these is the country-inflected "Beautiful Woman," featuring pedal steel guitar. Elsewhere, Hibbert reaffirms his love of Otis Redding-style Southern soul with the gorgeous "Missing You." Following the recording of the album, Hibbert and original Maytals Raleigh Gordon and Jerry Mathias parted company. Knock Out! stands as a fitting swan song for one of the all-time great reggae groups. Not to be missed. ~Jeffrey Konkel