Search - Monty Alexander :: Monty Alexander

My favourite Jazz Album of all time - and i've heard a few!

Carl Hudson | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Montreaux festival of 1976 featured some of the big name jazz artists of the time. On the programme was one Monty Alexander, appearing after Milt Jackson. And as soon as those first bluesy licks of Night Mist blues were played, the feeling of energy hit the audience and charged them up to a point where every surprise, every deft little arpeggio, and every sentimental phrase was given the reckognition it deserved. This was the album that kickstarted Monty Alexander into the throne held by Oscar Peterson twenty years before. And though there is lots of Peterson, the Jamaican feel, coupled with Gospel harmonies sets Alexander way in front of the other 'Accessible' Jazz Pianists. And the relationship between the other members is felt right through the album - right until the fantastic climax."

Seriously Good

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 06/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had the CD of this for 20 years now and I still love it to this day (indeed its on my mp3 player as well). It was orginally recorded in June 1976.

The disc kicks off with a storming version of Ahmad Jamal's Nite Mist Blues and finishes with an equally storming Battle Hymn of the Republic. Apart from being a Jazz trio album the common thread through a lot of these tracks is the gospel/blues influence that pervades Monty Alexanders playing, which is again in evidence on Drown in My own Tears. Theres a great version of Satin Doll and even Feelings is pretty good.



He is one of the few Pianists who you can say was definetly influenced by Oscar Peterson. Whilst he may not quite have Oscars technique, he had by this time developed his own style to the degree that it would be hard to the confuse the two.



If you like driving swinging bluesy Piano trio albums this is CD you should be buying without delay.

"

Can't swing harder than this

Christophe Ludet | MD | 07/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
It seems every once in a while, for an hour or so, the muse of music shines on one particular part of the world. This is one of those CDs. Where everything went right. The music is so spontaneous, yet so refined. This is improvisation at its very best. I got this CD from a pianist friend for whom I have a lot of respect, not quite sure what to expect. It took a while to arrive. I popped it in the CD that morning, I just had a terrible night. 8am and already in a bad mood. 10 seconds later, Monty's trio had taken me to a different level. It swings so hard, instant burst of energy. Even the recording quality is gorgeous. The piano is bright and crisp, and you can hear Monty constantly reaching its bed to get the best of it. Without a doubt, this is one of the best live trio I've heard."