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Kingston, Jamaica · 1977 — present

The Congos

The Congos is a reggae vocal group from Jamaica, known for its distinctive sound that combines deep harmonies and spiritual lyrics. Originally formed as a duo by Ashanti Roy Johnson and Cedric Myton, the group expanded to a trio with the addition of Watty Burnett. Their most iconic work, *Heart of the Congos*, was recorded in 1977 and produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry at his famous Black Ark Studio. This album is considered a milestone in roots reggae, standing out for its rich production and collaborations with artists such as Gregory Isaacs and The Meditations.

The Congos’ journey was not without challenges. Although the album *Heart of the Congos* was an outstanding work, its release was limited due to disputes between Perry and Island Records, which affected its international distribution. Despite this, the group managed to release a limited edition of the album on their own, and in 1980, the British label Go Feet reissued it, though the shadow of its initial success was difficult to overcome. Subsequent projects such as Congo Ashanti failed to capture the same essence, resulting in a more austere sound compared to Perry’s exuberant production.

Reggae roots reggae Dub neo-psychedelia 1970s
1 Albums
10 Songs
258K Listeners/mo
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Essential songs

01

Fisherman

Heart of the Congos · 1977

5:18 02

Congo Man

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:51 03

Open Up the Gate

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:30 04

Children Crying

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:16 05

La La Bam‐Bam

Heart of the Congos · 1977

2:15 06

Can’t Come In

Heart of the Congos · 1977

5:02 07

Sodom & Gomorrow

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:12 08

The Wrong Thing

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:16 09

Ark of Covenant

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:43 10

Solid Foundation

Heart of the Congos · 1977

4:48

1 album|s · 1977

Full discography

Heart of the Congos 1977 ★ Essential

Heart of the Congos

10 song|s · Reggae

Details, awards, members and more

More about The Congos

Biography

After a series of lineup changes, including the departure of Burnett and Johnson, Myton continued recording under the name The Congos until the mid-1980s. The group reformed in the 1990s, with Myton and Burnett, joined by Lindburgh Lewis. In 2005, Myton released *Give Them the Rights*, an album that preserved the spiritual essence of 1970s reggae. In 2006, the Blood and Fire label released *Fisherman Style*, which included remixed versions of classics like “Fisherman,” reinterpreted by prominent figures in reggae. His legacy has also been reflected in film appearances and collaborations with other artists, cementing his place in reggae history.

Details

Born
1 Jan 1977
Country
🇯🇲 Jamaica
Genre
Reggae

Members

founder · actual
Cedric Myton
founder · actual
Congo Ashanti Roy
· actual
Watty Burnett

Record labels

Go-Feet Records

Links

Spotify Wikipedia