The Jolly Boys

Mento finds its leading exponents in The Jolly Boys, who bring to life this playful and risqué musical relative of Jamaican reggae. Mento shares with reggae its characteristic shuffling, syncopated guitar strum, along with a cheeky sensibility and a relaxed, undulating groove suited for dancing. Where it diverges from reggae is in its lack of spiritual foundations or any pursuit of deep meaning. Rather, mento elevates to a form of worship the themes of sexual boasting, imbibing, and merrymaking. For many years now, The Jolly Boys have been writing and playing mentos, including occasions when they entertained Errol Flynn during his visits to his Jamaican residence. Rhythmic bongo rhythms form the basis of their music, complemented by featured playing on banjo and kalimba, also known as the finger piano. Albums that exemplify their work include Pop 'n' Mento and Sunshine n' Water. Far from being unsophisticated folk artists or rigid upholders of tradition, The Jolly Boys readily adapt any tune that appeals to them into the mento style, and they show willingness to subtly update their approach. This approach is evident in the 2010 release Great Expectation, which included delightful reinterpretations of tracks originally by the Doors (“Riders on the Storm”), the Clash (“Should I Stay or Should I Go”), Steely Dan (“Do It Again”), New Order (“Blue Monday"), Amy Winehouse (“Rehab”), Lou Reed (“Perfect Day”), Iggy Pop (“Nightclubbing”), and Johnny Cash (“Ring of Fire”), to name a few, while incorporating sequenced drum tracks and horn arrangements crafted by Cedric Brooks.