Monty Alexander
Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley
Telarc

Monty Alexander continues his double life on this excellent cd of Bob Marley's music. Alternating his releases between straightahead jazz, as on last years "Live at the Iridium", he has once again returned to his reggae roots and brought out an excellent jazz inflected reading of Jamaica'a finest. Featured guest Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone is a perfect match for this lilting and seductive music. With his buttery gliding over Alexander's feathery intro, Marsalis breaks into a grooving "No More Trouble" that is as captivating as anything Jobim put out on his instrumental discs with Jimmy Cleveland. Likewise, his work on the bluesy "Crazy Baldheads" and anthem-like "Trench Town" veer jazz towards an unexplored and attractive direction.

Alexander himself is in excellent form, carefully walking the tightrope that bridges jazz improvisation and the rhythmic riffs of reggae. His delicate intro work to "Babylon System" is a delight, as is his playful intro to "Chant Down Babylon," before it plunges into a funky grove. Any music that calls for peace, as Alexander evokes in the closing "Selam" deserves a good listen. Once again, jazz takes in another cousin.


-George W. Harris