Great Britain has produced several great roots bands -- Steel Pulse, Aswad, Misty In Roots, and Black Slate among them but Matumbi is one of the earliest and most influential. They formed in 1971 in London at a time when roots music in Jamaica itself was just entering its prime.
Formed in south London, with a line-up of Tex Dixon (vocals), Euton Jones (drums), Dennis Bovell (guitar), Errol Pottinger (guitar), Eaton "Jah" Blake (bass guitar) Bevin Fagan (vocals) (died 2008), and Nicholas Bailey (vocals, later better known as Nick Straker), initially they acted as a backing band to touring Jamaican musicians. In 1973, they opened for The Wailers at the Ethiopian famine relief concert in Edmonton.
Success brought problems for the band, with their record label unhappy about some band members' other musical activities, and Bailey and Dixon left, to be replaced by Webster Johnson (keyboards). Pottinger and Jones also left the band, with Glaister Fagan and Lloyd "Jah Bunny" Donaldson joining. The new line-up signed a deal with Harvest Records, and toured with Ian Dury & the Blockheads. Matumbi recorded two sessions for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show in 1978. In the same year, they recorded the theme song for the BBC television series, Empire Road.
The group's debut album, Seven Seals, was issued in 1978, but their second album, Point of View, was a greater success, with the title track giving the band a top 40 hit in 1979. Further albums followed between 1980 and 1982, but these did not match their earlier success. Their last album, Testify, was recorded in Jamaica co-produced by Bevin Fagan and drummer Euton Jones.
The band split up, with members moving on to various other projects; Dennis Bovell released solo material and became renowned as a producer, Donaldson joined The Cimarons, and Fagan and Blake recorded as The Squad.
After Tonight
Matumbi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can come to me anytime for cover
Don't play shy, let me try
It's you I really want and not another
Baby, don't you fight
Or you get your little self uptight, you know
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
You're alive, but they could die
Won't you swim to me a little bit closer?
I can read what you mean
It's you, oh baby, you I'm looking after
Baby, don't you fight
Or you get your little self uptight, you know
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
I need your love
Baby, don't you fight
Or you get your little self uptight, you know
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
The lyrics to Matumbi's song "After Tonight" seem to be about a person who wants to be with someone and is willing to be their "key to set [them] free". The song suggests that the other person may be hesitant or shy about expressing their feelings, but the singer is willing to try and get closer to them. The lyrics mention the idea of not fighting or getting upset, perhaps suggesting that the other person is resistant to the singer's advances. However, the repeated refrain of "baby, after tonight" seems to suggest that the singer is confident that they will get together with the other person eventually.
The lyrics also contain references to life and death, with the lines "you're alive, but they could die" and the suggestion that the singer is "looking after" the other person. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that the singer believes they are the best person for the other to be with, and that they will take care of them in a way that others may not be able to. Overall, the lyrics to "After Tonight" seem to be about someone who is determined to pursue a romantic relationship and is confident that their efforts will pay off.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm your key to set you free
I can help you find freedom
You can come to me anytime for cover
You can always rely on me for protection
Don't play shy, let me try
Don't be afraid, let me take a chance
It's you I really want and not another
I want you specifically, not anyone else
Baby, don't you fight
Don't resist my love
Or you get your little self uptight, you know
Or you'll become stressed and anxious
You're alive, but they could die
You're safe, but others are at risk
Won't you swim to me a little bit closer?
Can you get closer to me?
I can read what you mean
I understand what you're saying, even if you're not speaking
It's you, oh baby, you I'm looking after
I'm here to take care of you, my love
I need your love
I want and crave your love
Baby, after tonight
After tonight, things will be different between us
Baby, after tonight
Our love will have changed, after tonight
Baby, after tonight
A new beginning will come after tonight
Baby, after tonight
Things will be better between us, after tonight
Writer(s): ERROL POTTINGER, DENNIS BOVELL
Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MIAXKAT
Anyone still listening? 2024 I'm here and STILL up there man
@mrrkdino
👍👍
@Jay_Kiba
This is my dads last song he played to me before he died , I never appreciated it until he passed but now I feel it all , RIP x
@mrrkdino
❤❤
@reggaebass1857
Deepest condolences jay, they are one of my favourite bands, your dad had a wonderful taste in music x
@yahfyah8692
My condolences my dad loved all these songs and loved when i got older and would bring back cds of these tunes, he would smile a little smile...I miss those days but glad for the memories
@ruthdixon7807
dennis bovell has always been credited with inventing lovers rock and his productions for his own band always had an added depth.
@mrrkdino
👍👍
@alleycatmouse
Still rocking (lovers of course😍) in 2024.❤️🔥
@mrrkdino
🤭🤭