The Fabulous Cougars – Sooner Or Later 7 Inch [IIM011]

The Fabulous Cougars

Especially in the 60’s and 70’s a number of Jamaicans emigrated to Toronto. The economic hardship in their homeland drove them to remote parts of the world. Among the people who migrated from the tropical climate to much more moderate latitudes were at the time already well-known musicians like Jackie Mittoo, Johnnie Osbourne, Wayne McGhie, Lloyd Delpratt and Jo-Jo Bennett. When they arrived in their new home, they did what they could do best: they made music. Among these musicians were Jay Douglas and Everton “Pablo” Paul who founded The Cougars aka The Fabulous Cougars back in those days. In 2006 the compilation “Jamaica To Toronto – Soul, Funk & Reggae, 1967 – 1974” (Light In The Attic) honoured the veterans from those days and also started a “Jamaica To Toronto”-Allstar Liveshowcase, including Everton “Pablo” Paul and Jay Douglas, who was the bandleader. During an interview in 2010 the news was revealed, that there were still two songs for a never released 7 Inch hiding in the closet. They were recorded in 1968 and have never seen the light of day by being on vinyl, where they were supposed to be more than 40 years ago. So now, in the year 2011, Irie Ites Music is proud to release them for the first time! Musically it is obvious, that the jamaican musicians have included north-american influences into their own music.

“Wow! What a vintage sound on the A-side. It’s funk, soul and reggae all at once. And the doo wop piano on the B-side and the horns make an amazing blend. This is a really classic sound for Irie Ites.” Mighty Howard (USA/GER)

Get it at: www.one-drop.de, www.ebreggae.com, www.madbutcher.net