7 inch singles were instrumental to the development of the Jamaican music industry, more affordable than full lengths for the consumer, they also allowed the labels to turnaround what was being recorded into music played from their booming sound systems as quickly as possible. In that spirit, Get On Down will be reissuing some of the most crucial Jamaican sides on 45, staring with The Maytals “Monkey Man.” Recorded in 1969, the cut was a smash hit in Jamaica and hit number 47 when released in the UK in early 1970. “Monkey Man” went on to be highly influential on the British Two-Tone movement of the later 70s with The Specials offering up a ripping version of the cut on their 1979 debut. The B Side, “Night And Day”, though not a chart-burner, is certainly one of the most solid rock-steady cuts you’ll ever encounter rife with bubbly keys, tight snares and Toots Hibbert’s incredibly soulful vocals.