Monty Alexander “Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley “
Release# CD-83635 Telarc (2006)
In 1999, Jamaican born jazz pianist Monty Alexander made his Telarc debut with the release of Stir It Up, a tribute to the music of reggae icon Bob Marley. Since then, Alexander has assembled a diverse body of work on Telarc, with recordings ranging from straightahead jazz to the American songbook to world music. Seven years after Stir It Up, Alexander digs deeper into the music and mythos of Bob Marley with Concrete Jungle, a further exploration of Marley’s legacy. Recorded in the late summer of 2005 at Marley’s own Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and embellished by a crew of highly talented session players from the U.S. and Jamaica, Concrete Jungle is a set of twelve compositions penned by Marley and reinterpreted via Alexander’s jazz piano-oriented arrangements. The resulting union of musical sensibilities captures the passion and freewheeling creative spirit that have made Marley a universally recognized icon a quarter century after his death—not just within the reggae nation but throughout the world.
At the forefront is Alexander’s rich and evocative piano work, accompanied by guitarist Wendel Ferraro (aka Junior Jazz), bassist Hassan Shakur and drummer Herlin Riley. Further seasoning the mix are vocalist Luciano (a Jamaican superstar and an heir to the Marley legacy), trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, reggae drummer Rolando Wilson, electric bassist Glenroy Browne, the Mento Men (Panchago Christian on guitar/vocals, Ural Gordon on rhumba box/vocals, Vincent Hines on banjo/vocals), and several other musicians who played with the great Bob Marley.
“From the time we started the sessions on the evening of September 19 to our departure from Tuff Gong Studios five days later, it was as if the Spirit that dwells in the music of Bob Marley had smiled on us,” says Alexander. “All through the sessions there were feelings and thoughts of loving oneness with every person in the studio who shared in this experience, with all the players and the good people who would come into the room.”
What came out of the room is a compelling and transcendent recording, beginning with the highly rhythmic “Africa Unite,” which juxtaposes Alexander’s melodic jazz lines against a percussive reggae backbeat. “War” is one of the most stirring tracks on the album, beginning with nothing more than Luciano’s plaintive vocals alongside Alexander’s solo piano. But once the rhythm section kicks in, everyone takes a turn at the microphone, resulting in a richly layered musical plea for world peace.
“Babylon System” begins as a gentle acoustic ballad, but the laid back tempo is deceiving. There’s a measure of rhythmic and emotional intensity here that is undeniable at any speed.
Agency Jim Wadsworth Productions Steve Frumkin 330.405.9075 [email protected] Jim Wadsworth 216.721.5624 [email protected] Page 1 of 4 Further into the set, a carefully arranged horn section (saxophonist Dean Fraser, trumpeter Dwight Richards and trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis) lends an element of swing to the otherwise reggae-flavored “Trench Town.” The following track, “Three Little Birds,” is an earthy, impromptu free-for-all, courtesy of the Mento Men. The trio builds a compelling sound with nothing more than a simple chord progression and vocal line augmented by Alexander on melodica, an honest and direct expression of the reggae experience.
Concrete Jungle is almost as much about location as it is about the music itself. “We wanted to take this recording another level up from Stir it Up in terms of depth and authenticity,” says producer Elaine Martone. “Kingston is a challenging city. I had serious misgivings about doing the sessions there. But Monty pushed for the idea, and he was right. There’s an energy within the walls of Tuff Gong that’s almost mystical. And when we factored in the rich, multicultural dimension of the players whom we brought into the sessions, the resulting experience—and the resulting recording—was transformative. We could not have made a recording like this anywhere else. One love.”
Monty Alexander - piano, melodica Hassan Shakur -- bass Herlin Riley -- drums Othniel Lewis -- keyboard Wendel Ferraro (aka Junior Jazz) -- lead guitar, vocals Wayne Armond -- rhythm guitar, vocals Glenroy Browne -- electric bass Courtney Panton -- electric bass Rolando Alphanso Wilson -- reggae drums Loris (Billy) Lawrence -- percussion Delfeayo Marsalis -- trombone Dean Fraser -- saxophone Dwight Richards -- trumpet and featuring special guest: Luciano -- vocals and The Rod Dennis Mento Band Panchago Christian -- guitar, vocals Ural Gordon -- rumba box, vocals Vincent Hines -- banjo, vocals
1. Africa Unite 2. Concrete Jungle 3. No More Trouble 4. War 5. Babylon System 6. Forever Lovin' 7. Craz Baldheads 8. Chant Down Babylon 9. Simmer Down 10. Trench Town 11. Three Little Birds 12. Selam
Agency Jim Wadsworth Productions Steve Frumkin 330.405.9075 [email protected] Jim Wadsworth 216.721.5624 [email protected] Page 2 of 4 Reviews
"...best of all is his quiet but intense arrangement of 'Babylon System', a rare interpretation of a Marley song that reveals both the anger and the simple heartache that lies at the center of the song—on 'Babylon System" you could hear Marley weeping for the wicked as well as crying out for justice for his people, and that anguish is brilliantly exposed in Alexander's arrangement...overall this is an insightful and deeply enjoyable album." -- All Music Guide
“…it [Concrete Jungle] stands apart…by featuring both street cred and sincere reverence.” -- Chattanooga Pulse
“This is an enjoyable tribute.” -- O’s Place Jazz
“Monty Alexander continues his double life on this excellent cd of Bob Marley's music… 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.” -- All About Jazz – LA
“Whether you want Bob Marley mixed with jazz overtones, or vise-versa, this album does not disappoint…Alexander's most important objective—whether his vehicle is reggae or jazz or soul, small combo or symphony—is to express the joy of music to all within earshot, regardless of prevailing differences in taste or culture.” -- TheCelebrityCafe.com
“Monty Alexander digs deeper into the music and mythos of Bob Marley with his newest release, Concrete Jungle. The twelve compositions, penned by Marley, are reinterpreted via Alexander’s jazz-piano-oriented arrangements, resulting in a very compelling and transcendent recording.” -- Accent on the Bay
“It’s an attractive undertaking, smoothing out the rough edges of the composer’s rebel spirit while deconstructing the simple but irresistible melodies. Marsalis marches ‘Simmer Down’ through the French Quarter and the Rod Dennis Mento Band takes it loosely to the streetcorner on ‘Three Little Birds’ but most of this CD is firmly rooted in mellow, groove-happy Trenchtown rock.” -- Portfolio Weekly
“…the pianist interprets Marley’s songs with a feeling for the blues and folk music textures contained in the music. Reggae remains close at hand, and a clarion vocal emphasis shares the spotlight with Alexander’s piano. Lyrics are brought into the forum with clarity… Alexander’s ‘Selam’ closes the album with a brief solo piano tribute all wrapped up in blankets and tears, a heartfelt salute to a figure who left his imprint on popular music for eternity.” -- AllAboutJazz.com Agency Jim Wadsworth Productions Steve Frumkin 330.405.9075 [email protected] Jim Wadsworth 216.721.5624 [email protected] Page 3 of 4 “Alexander has been a prolific performer and recording artist whose infectious style fuses his Caribbean roots with the sounds of gospel, swing, blues, and post bop; he’s as comfortable with Gershwin and Ellington as he is with funk and reggae… In the spirit of Bob Marley, Monty Alexander’s Concrete Jungle is all about taking a mix of cultures and creating a whole, bringing everyone together in a common cause. If only that was the true meaning of Global Warming.” -- Jazz Police
“Alexander is a pro, the jazz flavor works nicely and the end result is an easy to like, upmarket party record just begging for the right summer evening to come along." -- Midwest Record Recap
“This is a well-conceived project-a sound vision with excellent follow-through. Sound quality is superb with distinct instrumental separation for the well-trained ear...you can’t go wrong with Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley.” -- Jamaican Gleaner
“The album winds down a raw, rootsy note with a live-in-studio take of the beloved ‘Three Little Birds’ that has Shakur and Alexander (blowing on the melodica) joining the Rod Dennis Mento Band, made up of banjo, rhythm guitar and rumba box. Released on the stalwart independent jazz label Telarc, Concrete Jungle is worth the purchase.” -- Honolulu Star Bulletin
“Alexander's treatments of ‘No More Trouble,’ ‘Chant Down Babylon,’ ‘Trench Town’ and ‘Simmer Down’ are melodically and rhythmically faithful to the syncopated framework of the original, and he's careful with his solos not to venture so far outside the song's foundation that he distorts the reggae framework… With countless Marley collections and anthologies constantly appearing, Alexander's tribute offers a different and exciting musical portrait of Bob Marley's music.” -- Nashville City Paper
“Running through 11 of Marley’s songs, plus one Alexander original, the band creates a remarkable melding of jazz and reggae…the jazz setting gives every one a new, fresh sound.” -- North County Times
“…one of the best critically acclaimed passionate transformations of authentic Jazz recordings…This is indeed a compelling, musical experiences.” -- Black Diaspora
“Alexander once again expands expertly upon the tightly wound intensities of Marley's brand of rebel music.” -- World Music Central
“Concrete Jungle is worth the purchase.” -- Star Bulletin
“Rather than giving undue emphasis to his piano solos, Mr. Alexander knows how to step back and incorporate the right mix of other instruments, from the driving reggae bass to harmonica, percussion, saxophone and trumpet.” -- Anderson Independent
Agency Jim Wadsworth Productions Steve Frumkin 330.405.9075 [email protected] Jim Wadsworth 216.721.5624 [email protected] Page 4 of 4