Leba Hibbert: A Major Turning Point
The post Leba Hibbert: A Major Turning Point appeared first on Reggae Vibes.
Black News 
Leba Hibbert: A Major Turning Point
Daughter of reggae legend Toots Hibbert, the singer produced six of the songs on the album which was released on August 25. It comes 15 years after ‘Intoxicated’, her first album.
“This album is about me, my life, my experiences and what I’ve been through. This album is my reality; truth, not fiction, facts, not stories,” she said.
Toots, who died in September, 2020 at age 77, is a big part of those stories. She toured with him for many years, learning the ins-and-outs of a music business that has not always been kind to Jamaican artistes, especially women.
On ‘Journey’, a poignant track from ‘Leba Abel’, she reflects on her career which started during the 1980s as a member of 54-46, her father’s harmony trio.
Leba co-produced ‘Extreme’ with Toots. It features the distinctive tone of legendary guitarist Cat Coore of Third World, who died last January. ‘Bless Me’, another song from the album, is a collaboration with Junior Toots, her brother, who lives in California.
Singing and producing songs, Leba noted, shows the versatility her father was known for. She believes it reflects personal growth.
“I’m very confident, but I’m also realising that I have to do this on my own now. At the same time, I have to carry on my father’s legacy,” said Leba.
Since 2023, she has held centrestage with The Maytals Featuring Leba Hibbert. They have toured the United Kingdom and United States.
The 18-date UK jaunt in May was dubbed ‘The Reggae Got Soul 50th Anniversary Tour’. It marked the golden anniversary of the release of Toots’ ‘Reggae Got Soul’ album which was released by Island Records.
After returning to Jamaica, Leba went straight into preparing the release of ‘Leba Abel’ which she says marks her coming of age as an artiste.
“I have grown a lot. This is a major turning point in my life.”
Playlist Album
The post Leba Hibbert: A Major Turning Point appeared first on Reggae Vibes.
