Monkey Man Riddim – Amalgamated, Beverly’s, Fashion

Rooted in the 1969 Monkey Man rhythm, this set pulls together classic productions from Amalgamated, Beverly’s, and Fashion, with Bunny Striker Lee among the names tied to the original session. Toots and the Maytals’ Monkey Man is the anchor here, and the rhythm’s reach is clear from later versions like Clint Eastwood and General Saint’s 1983 take and General Levy and Junior Dan’s 1993 cut. Johnny Clarke’s Look At Me Girl and The Pioneers’ Mama Look Deh add more of that late-’60s Jamaican flavor, while the whole package reflects how widely this riddim traveled across ska, reggae, and dancehall circles.