The word "ital" in Jamaican slang or properly in Rasta language means "natural" and refers mainly to food: that which is not canned or artificial, with a generally vegetarian tendency, usually making an exception for fish. It is as if it were a derivation of "vital", something pure and natural. It is obvious that the name is highly suggestive for a band that thus assumes its most natural proposal in relation to sound, that is, more roots, more "root".
The Itals group actually has the classic Jamaican formation that notably popularized vocal trios on a large scale. Thus most Jamaican groups were formed, always bringing a lead vocalist and two background ones, in the chorus. Sometimes the members alternate in interpreting the main voice.
The Itals vocal trio is formed by great talents such as Keith Porter, Ronnie Davis and Lloyd Ricketts. Keith Porter always had a significant role especially in crafting the songs, while Ronnie Davis pursued a solo career during moments of group dispersion, with relative success, since he always proved undeniable talent, since the times when he was part of the Tennors formation, a group that emerged in the "Rock Steady" era in 67, which already at that time scored successive hits on the Jamaican charts and later on the London charts as well.
When that group disintegrated, Ronnie Davis continued in a solo career until joining the Itals from the mid-70s onward. The Itals is undoubtedly one of the great names in reggae of all time, and will remain in Jamaican music history with unforgettable classics such as "In a dis ya time", "Don`t wake the Lion" (Não Acorde o Leão), "Seeing is Believing", "Satisfaction", "Rasta Philosophy", "Sing Farewell", "Peace and Love", among so many others.