“Mento is a style of Jamaican folk music that predates and has greatly influenced ska and reggae music. Mento typically features acoustic instruments, such as acoustic guitar, banjo, hand drums, and the rhumba box — a large mbira in the shape of a box that can be sat on while played. The rhumba box carries the bass part of the music.”

I’m diggin’ Mento music at the moment and wanted to do something to keep the Mento Mo-Mento alive! So heres some great clips that feature some great Mento. Jump Up Records has some new Mento from Phillippino band ‘Count Kutu & The Balmers.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMRtyQt2ADs[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NWpJZ0t48k[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOwl-bMfIkc[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4n4AsLD1KM[/youtube]