Pressure drop

The press release calls Toots Hibbert something like “the James Brown of Jamaica” but, to these ears, his urgent, soulful voice has always sounded a lot more like Otis Redding. And Hibbert’s group, Toots & the Maytals, are as fundamental to Jamaica’s best-known export as Bob Marley & the Wailers; the group’s 1968 hit, “Do the Reggay,” even gave that particular musical genre a name. Dunno what three decades have done to the Maytals’ sound, but if you’re over 21 you can find out next Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Harlow’s, 2706 J St., when Toots and company take the stage. Show starts at 10 p.m., cover is $20. The next night, the Maytals play an all-ages show at the Northern California Center for the Arts at 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley; that show starts at 8 p.m.