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  Monty Alexander with Ernest Ranglin
Rocksteady
(Telarc CD 83581,
2004)
Two longstanding icons of Jamaican popular music, pianist
Monty
Alexander and guitarist
Ernest
Ranglin, have been edifying--as opposed to blurring--the lines between jazz
and reggae for decades. Both were already veteran players by the dawn of the ska
era and both continue to infuse the island vibe into their work. They've both
branched out as well, including Alexander's application of his extensive skills
to straight ahead jazz and classic American songs and Ranglin launching into
some fruitful explorations of African music. But it's back to the foundation on
this collaboration, resulting in a nearly perfect fit all around. The pieces the
two reinterpret instrumental-style are Jamaican classics by virtue of being
milestones in roots and culture (Burning
Spear's "Marcus Garvey," the Congos' "Row Fisherman"), successful well
beyond their country of origin (Dave and Ansell Collins' "Double Barrel,"
Desmond Dekker's "Israelites,") or possessing a mystical quality reggae
listeners know and love (Augustus Pablo's "East of the River Nile").
On each track Alexander (who shines on both piano and melodica) and Ranglin
manage to keep familiarity intact while still getting in their licks as soloists
and superb navigators of the groove. A tightly locked drums and bass backbone
and rhythm guitar chug consistently bespeak reggae, notwithstanding the fact
that the bass is acoustic and the drummer throwing down as many jazz tricks as
reggae ones. The sole vocal cut is Toots and the Maytals' ever-dependable
"Pressure Drop" sung by Toots himself, wielding his pipes in the same quietly
masterful way the rest of the disc delivers. Well, not quite all the rest. Only
the last cut, Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," doesn't measure up. The
instrumental version here is done with too much reverence and not enough fire,
simpering where it should simmer. It's okay as a kind of afterthought, but best
ignored in favor of the flawlessly pulsing arrangements and solid playing that
came before.
Buy Rocksteady
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