Myton had previously been a member of The Tartans in the late 1960s (along with Prince Lincoln Thompson, Devon Russell and Lindburgh Lewis), and Ras Michael's group, and had recorded with Thompson's Royal Rasses in the mid-1970s. He formed the Congos, initially as a duo with Johnson, recording the single "At the Feast" for Lee "Scratch" Perry. Perry expanded the group to a trio with the addition of Burnett, this line-up recording the classic roots reggae album Heart of the Congos in 1977 at Perry's Black Ark studio. The album featured illustrious backing singers such as Gregory Isaacs, The Meditations, and Barry LLewellyn and Earl Morgan of The Heptones. The album has been described as "the most consistently brilliant album of Scratch's entire career".
Perry's previous productions by Max Romeo and Junior Murvin had been huge commercial successes thanks to a deal with Island Records, but Perry was in dispute with Island at the time the Congos' album was finished, so it was released on his own Black Ark label, limiting its success overseas, and causing a rift with the group. The Congos went their own way, organising a limited pressing of the album themselves. United Kingdom label Go Feet eventually reissued the album in 1980, and although the group had recorded new material since leaving Perry, Heart of the Congos proved a hard act to follow and their other releases suffered as a consequence. Albums such as Congo Ashanti were sparser and sounded ordinary compared to Perry's kitchen-sink-and-all massive productions.
Burnett quit the group, soon followed by Johnson, who embarked on a solo career. Myton continued to record as The Congos with various other musicians until the mid-1980s.
In the mid-1990s, The Congos reformed, with Myton and Burnett joined by Lindburgh Lewis, several albums following in subsequent years. In 2005 Myton recorded Give Them the Rights with a host of backup singers and star session players such as Sly and Robbie and Earl "Chinna" Smith, very much in the spiritual 70s roots vein. In 2006, the UK reggae revival label Blood and Fire released the album Fisherman Style featuring a remixed version of the classic cut "Fisherman" from Heart of the Congos plus such legends as Horace Andy, Big Youth, Dillinger, Prince Jazzbo, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Max Romeo, Mykal Rose, Dean Fraser, Sugar Minott, and U-Roy doing their own new versions over the original rhythm.
In 2002, they appeared on the album The Slackers and Friends by the ska/reggae band The Slackers.
In 2008, The Congos appeared in the independent feature film, Wah Do Dem which captures them performing "Fisherman," and "Congoman Chant," under a full moon at Helshire Beach outside Kingston.
In 2009, Myton, Burnett, and Johnson reunited with Perry to record the album Back in the Black Ark, which, despite its title, was recorded at Myton's studio in Portmore and at Mixing Lab, Kingston.
National Heroes
The Congos Lyrics
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And music groups manipulated by economic unintelligence
Strategies to become manipulated heroes
In "National Heroes," The Congos highlight the importance of recognizing true heroes and not simply those who are manipulated by external forces. The song asserts that heroism cannot be bought or produced through marketing tactics. Instead, true heroes are those who have made significant contributions to society through their actions.
The Congos criticize the manipulation of music groups by those who seek to turn them into heroes for economic gain. The song suggests that many artists are willing to succumb to these strategies, sacrificing their integrity in exchange for fame and fortune. The Congos, on the other hand, prioritize the recognition of those who have made meaningful contributions to society, not just those who are marketed as heroes.
Overall, "National Heroes" is a call to action for society to recognize true heroes and to value their contributions over those who have been manufactured for commercial gain. The Congos assert that we must resist the temptation to be manipulated by external forces and instead focus on uplifting those whose actions have truly impacted the world.
Line by Line Meaning
This song talks about real heroes and not about citizens
The Congos are focusing on the distinction between real heroes and common citizens. They intend to highlight the deeds and accomplishments of true heroes.
And music groups manipulated by economic unintelligence
The Congos are criticizing music groups whose actions and decisions are driven by financial gain, rather than artistic expression. They are using the term 'economic unintelligence' to describe this mentality.
Strategies to become manipulated heroes
The Congos are pointing out that some music groups deliberately use certain strategies to present themselves as heroes, even if their intentions are not genuine. They are exposing this facade of manipulated heroism.
Writer(s): CEDRIC MYTON, ROYDEL JOHNSON
Contributed by Olivia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.