Reggae music’s golden age is revived in a powerful new collective, The Mighty Rootsmen. This pioneering project brings together some of Jamaica’s most celebrated artists to reinterpret classic rock and pop songs through the eternal, feel-good vibes of roots music. With this latest release, a soulful makeover of Tom Petty’s epic anthem, “I Won’t Back Down,” they are introducing themselves in a big way.
This reggae version of “I Won’t Back Down” serves as a fitting introduction to The Mighty Rootsmen, a long-brewing 10-years-in-the-making project born out of the talents of reggae royalty Toots Hibbert, Gregory Isaacs, Mykal Rose, Luciano, and the 4-inna-row juggernaut of bass-and-drum power that is the incomparable Sly & Robbie. Arriving April 24th, 2025, and timed right around the 35th anniversary of the original, the first official release from the highly anticipated debut LP will come July 25th, 2025.
The legendary Toots Hibbert, the frontman of Toots and the Maytals, pours himself into his delivery of “I Won’t Back Down,” and it’s every bit as brassy a howler as the original, with an extra mantle’s worth of warmth and depth, the heat and soul of reggae. With the sweet harmonies of Gregory Isaacs, Mykal Rose, and Luciano over the unparalleled rhythms of the legendary Sly & Robbie, these vocals ride effortlessly over an undeniable riddim in this rendition to remember.
Longtime producer of legends such as Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and George Clinton, Ralph Sall’s expertise shines through on the record’s production, making it sound as full and luscious as the song. The song is a warm, rolling track, each note dripping with the energy of the original as it pays homage to reggae’s vast history. Dub-influenced instrumental sections and Mike Campbell’s distinctive guitar playing finish the reimagined soundscape, balancing the familiar and the new.
“I Won’t Back Down” is a mass of thumping emotion that uses that wheelhouse rhythm to get you moving. With their debut album releasing this summer, this strong reimagined classic anthem is getting people excited for what’s to come from The Mighty Rootsmen. This release indicates the arrival of a fantastic project that recognizes the music we have grown up with in the spirit of roots reggae.
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