Gisto.
As a youngster growing up in London, Ontario, Canada, Gisto was impressed by the music of Toots Hibbert.
“I’m a big fan of Toots. He was one of the first Jamaican reggae artistes that I heard as a youth in Canada. His music stood out to me and drew me into reggae music and the Jamaican culture,” Gisto told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday.
Gisto’s latest single Pressure, which was done in tribute to Hibbert, is the new #1 song on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart.
Said the artiste: “Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting Toots, but I came close a couple of times at reggae festivals that he performed at in Canada. Friends of mine who knew him always spoke highly of him as a person.”
Hibbert died in September 2020 at the age of 77.
Gisto shared some insight about the song Pressure.
“The rhythm of the original Pressure Drop tune is so infectious and unique — the way it grooves just feels good and organic. It’s always inspired my imagination. I often wondered what it was like in that place and time when Toots was putting it together, and what types of pressure he was going through. I can never answer that for sure, so this song serves as a reminder that, in any era, we can strive to make the pressure we’re under be transformative,” said Gisto.
He added: “People seem to really enjoy Pressure. It’s so instantly recognisable. Even though we reinterpreted it, we tried to maintain the original energy, which is timeless. I’m grateful people are vibing with this version.”
Pressure is featured on Gisto’s seventh studio album Gisto and the Grateful Living, which was released in April.
From an early age Gisto developed his musical chops playing the guitar.
“I got my first guitar at 10 years old. While growing up there wasn’t much reggae around, so I was learning music like grunge rock, jazz, and jam-band stuff. At 20 I moved to Nelson, British Colombia, to attend music college for guitar. I played shows with my band and, while people were hanging out and having drinks, it wasn’t until we started playing reggae tunes that the dance floor filled up. That’s how I found my voice and discovered the power of reggae music to uplift and unify the vibes. Around that same time the legendary John Goddard (RIP) — another great Canadian Jamaican reggae musician — rolled into town. He taught me about music and Jamaican culture. He encouraged me to take the music seriously and go to Jamaica,” Gisto recalled.
Fourteen years ago, Gisto visited Jamaica for the first time. He was introduced to several artistes, among them Lutan Fyah, Capleton, Sizzla, and Gyptian, with whom he later collaborated.
“It’s inspiring to know reggae music is beloved across the world. Because of its universal truth, every region has its own style of reggae. I feel blessed to have created some music that can bring people together, uplift, and unify,” said Gisto.
Still on the charts, 2 Time by Khago takes the top spot on the South Florida Reggae Chart. Meanwhile,
Kiss of Judas by Etana steps up from #3 to #2, while I Don’t Wanna Known by Winchester T improves from #20 to #17.
Skip Marley’s In our Sight debuts at #22.
How Dem Fi Fight Reggae Music by Sizzla and Bounty Killer is crowned the new champ at the top of the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Reggae chart.
A Woman’s Touch by Richie Stephens moves into the #4 spot, while Spread Love by Singer Irie is at #7. Ride Cowboy Ride by Wesrock bolts from #12 to #10 and Stevie Face’s cover of I’d Love You to Want Me inches up from #20 to #19.
Moving now to the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart, where Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & the Wailers logs 296 non-consecutive weeks in the #1 position.
Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy remains at #2, while Sean Paul’s Brit-platinum-certified hits set Dutty Classics Collection inches up to #3.
World on Fire by Stick Figure is #4, Greatest Hits by UB40 is at #5, and Sean Paul’s Grammy-winning Dutty Rock stands firm at #6.
Wisdom and Set in Stone by Stick Figure are #7 and #8, while Welcome to Jamrock by Damian “Jr Gong” Marley and Exodus by Bob Marley & the Wailers are #9 and #10.
Gangsta by Major Lazer featuring Busy Signal and Kybba debuts at #15 on Germany’s Urban R&B/Hip Hop chart.
Mariah Carey’s Sugar Sweet featuring Shenseea and Kehlani makes sweet moves on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart darting from #28 to #25. It inches up from #18 to #17 on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop Airplay. Over on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay, the song improves from #34 to #33.
Sean Paul’s Ginger spices things up reaching a new peak of #16 after nine weeks on the chart.
