Great Expectations: The Jolly Boys - "Rehab" (Mento Winehouse Dub)

Amy Winehouse was not unlike the late-great Ol' Dirty Bastard: Wildly talented, mildly deranged - A genuinely tortured soul. Winehouse's last known batch of proper recordings was recently collected and released as Lioness: Hidden Treasures. The Jolly Boys consists of 3 laid-back 70-something gentlemen: Albert Minott, Derrick "Johnny" Henry, and Joseph "Powder" Bennett. Utilizing sparse instrumentation -- acoustic guitar, 'rumba box [bass sub.] and maracas -- The Jolly Boys create a distinct brand of "Mento" music... a centuries-old style of Jamaican Folk not generally known outside of the island region. Legend has it that The Jolly Boys' up-beat riddims were the soundtrack to many of [actor] Errol Flynn's infamous "never-ending" yacht parties.


"Powder" & "Johnny" were 2 of The Jolly Boys founding members, upon it's formation back in The Roaring 50's. Albert Minott seems to be the band's newest addition; Although he's a longtime supporter and affiliate of the band... a former fire-dancer who would perform gigs @ the same Port Antonio [resort] hotel as The Jolly Boys. Their trademark sound effortlessly grafts Roots Reggae, Mento, and Ska against the modern-day pitches of Rhythm & Blues, Classic Rock, and Punk. The Jolly Boys' latest record, Great Expectation (2010) holds the true epitome of these collected sounds. It houses numerous covers of many Popular artists including: Iggy & The Stooges, Steely Dan, Rolling Stones, The Clash, New Order, and Johnny Cash.