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.
I Can't Get Enough Of That Reggae Stuff
Matumbi Lyrics
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I can't get enough of that funky stuff
I can't get enough of that funky stuff
I said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah"
I can't get enough of that funky stuff
I said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah"
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
I said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah"
The lyrics of Matumbi's song "I Can't Get Enough Of That Reggae Stuff" showcase the love and appreciation that the singer has for reggae music. The opening lines of "Par, ley, par, ley" could be interpreted as a reference to the sound of a percussion instrument like a drum or a rhythm guitar. The repetition of "I can't get enough of that funky stuff" emphasizes how the singer is drawn to the infectious rhythms and grooves that make reggae music so captivating.
The repeated phrase "whoa, whoa, whoa" suggests a sense of excitement and urgency in the singer's desire for more reggae music. The mention of "funky stuff" also draws a connection to the funk genre, suggesting that there is a crossover appeal between the two music styles. The use of "yeah" emphasizes the singer's enthusiasm and energy for reggae music, almost as if it is an addiction that cannot be satisfied.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Can't Get Enough Of That Reggae Stuff" are a celebration of the infectious rhythms and grooves of reggae music, and the singer's appreciation for the genre's unique sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Par, ley, par, ley
The song begins with repeated phrases of 'Par, ley' which sets the tone for the song and signifies a rhythmic pattern of music.
I can't get enough of that funky stuff
The singer is expressing his love for Reggae music saying that he can't get enough of it. Here 'funky stuff' means Reggae music which has its own unique style and rhythm.
I said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah"
The singer repeats the phrase multiple times to emphasize his love for the music. Here 'whoa' indicates the euphoria he experiences while listening to Reggae music.
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
Daa dii daa dii daa, daa dii daa dii daa
This is a repetition of sounds imitating the rhythm of the Reggae music itself. It signifies the unique sound of Reggae music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Claydes Smith, Dennis Thomas, George Brown, Kool & The Gang, Richard Westfield, Robert Bell, Robert Mickens, Ronald Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind