Build On The Rock / John Tom

Released in 1972 on the Jally Boys label, 'Build On The Rock / John Tom' is a quintessential example of the mento music tradition that flourished in Jamaica. Mento, often characterized by its acoustic instrumentation including banjo, hand drums, and rhumba box, served as the foundation for later genres like ska and reggae. This recording captures the spirited, narrative-driven style of The Jolly Boys, a group from Port Antonio that became world-renowned for their authentic preservation of the island's folk music heritage.

Donald Davidson was a pivotal figure in this era of the band's history, contributing to the distinct, upbeat arrangements that defined their sound. The release reflects the rural Jamaican social context of the time, where folk music was a staple of community gatherings and tourism in the parish of Portland. While the record lacks a formal catalog number and emerged from a period of independent Jamaican pressings, it is highly regarded by ethnomusicologists and collectors for its raw, unpolished energy and its role in documenting a pivotal moment in Caribbean musical history.