Monty Alexander with Ernest Ranglin
Rock Steady
Telarc


I was predisposed to disliking "Rock Steady’ on first sight. First, the cover has got to be the tackiest thing in years. The designer should be put on a boat to Jamaica. Second, let’s be honest, 90% of reggae/ska is BORING. I saw Bob Marley in concert in the 70’s and it had to be the biggest snoozer of my life. And what makes me dislike him even more is that the high school kids in my church think I’m "cool" because I saw him live, and don’t care that I’ve seen Diz or Miles. For that reason alone I can’t stand most of this stuff and was prepared to rip this cd apart.

Unfortunately, I liked it! Jamaica’s best and most famous reggae guitarist (Ranglin) joins with former ska sideman-turned-jazz-pianist Alexander to revisit a set Jamaican hits with such a joyful attitude that the listener can’t help but get into that head bobbin mode. Toots Hibbert (of "…and the Maytals" fame) joins in for a rousing version of his 70’s hit "Pressure Drop" for the only vocal on this infectious disc. Yeah, this ain’t "Giant Steps", but as a scholarly Puritan professor once remarked about a ‘pop’ theologian, "Sure, his stuff is like cotton candy. But every now and then, everyone needs a bit of cotton candy." So, lighten up, and smile while you drive to this, mon.


-- George W. Harris


Track Listing: Double Barrel; Confucius; Stalag 17; Marcus Garvey; Nightwork; East Of The River Nile; Israelites; Row Fisherman; Freedom Street; Pressure Drop; At The Feast; Redemption Song.


Personnel: Monty Alexander — Keyboards; Ernest Ranglin — Lead Guitar; Junior Jazz Rhythm Guitar; Gary Mayone — Keyboards; Quentin Baxter — Drums; Hassan Shakur — Bass; Courtney Payton — Hand Drums; —Toots Hibbert — Vocals.