If I had to pick a single artist I have listened to most consistently over the past 35 years, it would almost certainly be Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals. The Maytals were pioneers in the musical transition from ska to reggae (the song "Do The Reggay" brought the term to the public consciousness). After becoming increasingly obsessed with the late-60s and early-70s Maytals releases, I finally saw him live for the first time in 1990, in an outdoor concert with Fela Kuti and Jimmy Cliff. I saw him live many times over the next few decades and his live show was always a force and a joy. If you have never listened to albums like From the Roots and Funky Kingston start-to-finish, you should do so. As my tribute, I'll link a song that is more gospel than reggae, but for me best captures the power of his music.
"I know, oh yes I know, yeah.
I'm going to live, to see,
Everyone, free, free, free."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PyjXqwjdd8
