Monty Meets Sly & Robbie

Sly & Robbie, Monty Alexander | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00004SUF9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,856 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For much of his career, the Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander has been swinging jazz rhythms and dropping Jamaican "riddims." Monty Alexander Meets Sly and Robbie combines his Nat "King" Cole/Bill Doggett-influenced pianisms with longtime friends Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, whose signature drum machine programming, booming bass lines, and ambient sound effects provided the sonic signature of dancehall music--the forerunner of rap and hip-hop. Alexander and this dynamic duo, augmented by keyboardist Handel Tucker, "Jamaicanize" several soul-jazz classics--including Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder," Bobby Timmons's "Moanin'," and Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon"--into a unique worldbeat statement. The CD also features Alexander's own island-breezed compositions, "Monty's Groove," "Do the Kool Step," and "Hot Milk"--the lattermost highlighting the leader's plaintive melodic playing. The standout track on the recording, a moving rendition of the Stylistics' hit, "People Make the World Go Round," offers funky and folkloric proof that music from the English-speaking Caribbean has rich possibilities for jazz improvisation. --Eugene Holley Jr.

From Jazziz

Drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare - Sly & Robbie - have been hitting the reggae-loving world with their deep, telepathic grooves for decades. Now with Jamaican jazz pianist monty alexander, they are posed to make an impact on jazz fans, too. 'For the last few years, Sly and I have been saying, 'Man, it would be great to do something together,'' says Alexander, whose last recording, Stir It Up, was a tribute to Bob Marley. ''Let's pick some of the classic rhythm-and-blues, jazz-flavored tunes that have rhythms and grooves.' When the original artists did them, they too were looking for a groove and did it their way. We've blended my piano approach with what Sly & Robbie do - that street- level vibe.' The resulting album, Monty Meets Sly & Robbie, presents tunes such as Art Blakey's 'Moanin',' Ramsey Lewis' 'The In Crowd,' and the original 'Monty's Groove.' "

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just buy it: Its Brilliant, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Monty Meets Sly & Robbie (Audio CD)

Quite simple: if you don't have this, then get it right now. This is the second in whats becoming a brilliant series of reggae tinged jazz records for his new label. This time out Monty meets with the all time killer rhythm team of Sly and Robbie. The result is a groovin, funk filled disk of pure joy. From Herbie Hancocks Chameleon, Ramsey Lewis, The in crowd, to Zawinal's Mercy Mercy Mercy. But there's also Lee Morgans Sidewinder and Art Blakeys Moanin. Add a brilliant original called Monty's Groove, and the CD just rocks. I thought His last Stir it up album was brilliant (and overlooked, it should have sold gizillions)but this album is almost more fun. I cant wait to catch Monty live playing this, but meanwhile do your self a favor and get this disc. Its the right thing to do

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Caribbean/Funk Music, September 27, 2000

By 

Glenn R. Ellison (Pembroke Pines, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monty Meets Sly & Robbie (Audio CD)

Monty Alexander is one great pianist. Most of his music is jazz based with a hint of the islands. That all changed with his last release in which he covers some of Bob Marley's most popular songs. That CD is a great amalgamation of island and jazz music. It's a must just as "Monty Meets Sly and Robbie" is. It works on many levels. The rhythms are bouncy enough to clean the apartment to yet the depth of the piano solos make it perfect to sit down and really listen to. Great stuff!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Rarely Rises Above Annoying, July 4, 2009

By 

Karl W. Nehring (Ostrander, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monty Meets Sly & Robbie (Audio CD)

Although Alexander's previous Telarc effort, a tribute to the music of Bob Marley, had at times a cocktail jazz feel to it, it was musically entertaining. This one, however, on which Alexander is joined by the veteran reggae rhythm section of Sly Dunbar on drums and Robbie Shakespeare on bass, rarely rises above the merely annoying. How three veteran musicians could combine to produce such claptrap is something I just cannot quite understand. Although the sound is quite punchy and will give an audiophile's system a good workout, neither reggae fans nor jazz fans are likely to find anything of musical value here, so I would advise both groups to pass on this one.