Featured Artist: Monty Alexander

CD Title: Monty Alexander Live at the Iridium

Year: 2005

Record Label: Telarc Jazz

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Musicians: Monty Alexander (piano), Hassan Shakur (bass). Mark Taylor (drums), Robert Thomas, Jr. (hand drums and drums).

Review:

Monty Alexander is one of the most expressive and beloved of contemporary jazz pianists.  His piano techniques and vitality on the piano mark each of his performances as topnotch.  In this live setting at the Iridium, everything comes together perfectly.

Every performer makes this collection of jazz song originals a great entertainment. There is 61:20 minutes of listening pleasure on this CD which offers plenty of selections for radio airplay time. There are nine fine songs in this collection.

The songs are Nat Adderley's "The Work Song," "Slappin,'" "My Mother's Eyes," "Happylypso/Funji Mama," "The River," "Runnin' Away," "Little Darlin'," "Mount Zanda," and "That's the Way It Is."  Each song performance holds its own unique special appeal.

"The Work Song" rendition plays for an enjoyable 10:34 minutes and is sure to become one of the favorites on this collection.  For those interested in some background on Monty Alexander, he was born in Jamaica on D-Day, June 6, 1944.  The trio style is his forte, and the solo piano a showcase for his complex stylings. During the 1970s, his trio gained a large European following, and in 1976 he and his trio (Jeff Hamilton on drums and John Clayton on bass) became famous as the result of performances at Montreux. 

The other selections in this collection will appeal to different listeners for many different reasons. There is a rich melody of expression in each one, and each one reveals why Monty Alexander is one of the favorite of contemporary jazz pianists.

"My Mother's Eyes" and "The River" are also fine jazz musical expressions.  "Mount Zanda" will capture your attention with its unique attention to melody and form. 

A fine CD collection, this is sure to attract a large audience.  This is Monty Alexander at his finest.  Memorable.  Highly recommended.

Tracks: The Work Song, Slappin', My Mother's Eyes, Happylypso/ Funji Mama, The River, Runnin'Away, Little Darlin', Mount Zanda, That's the Way It Is.

Record Label Website: http://www.telarc.com

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

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