Monty Alexander is a Jamaican-born pianist and composer. On this, his newest recording, he pays tribute to the country he has called home for the past 40 years. As a boy he idolized the singers, the films, and the film stars of the USA; on My America he repays his influences and his heroes. The songs he chooses are as interesting as they are varied. He loved Gene Autry and Roy Rogers (the singing cowboys of the movies), and he kicks off the album with "Don't Fence Me In".
It begins simply enough, a straightforward, if jazzy version of the familiar tune, but soon evolves to reveal the direction of the album. Backed by a tight and funky Jamaican "riddim" section he juxtaposes the cultures in a jazzy melange. Freddy Cole joins the band to sing a syncopated version of "Straighten Up and Fly Right". Al Green's "Love and Happiness" is presented with a reggae beat, and Duke Ellington's "Rockin' In Riddim" really rocks! The solid (and I do mean SOLID) bass and drums give Monty a foundation on which to improvise, and he takes advantage of the situation. His fingers use the whole keyboard, searching, but never tentative, masterful and melodic.
Listening to this album in the car, I was nearly swept away by the power of the bass, played by Glen Browne and by Leon Duncan, and the precision of the drums (Desi Jones). Alexander has also recorded with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, who epitomise this bass and drum format. Lead guitarist Derek DiCenzo deserves a special mention for his contributions which punctuate the album. Alexander shows his versatility by playing the melodica on a fun and bouncy version of Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife". John Pizzarelli provides smooth vocals for a ska "Summer Wind" and Kevin Mahogany sings Ray Charles's "Hallelujah I Love Her So" but the album is Monty Alexander's all the way.
Telarc offers an outstanding collection of jazz and blues recordings, as well as some contemporary orchestral recordings. Their commitment is to excellence, and the new Monty Alexander album is just that!
