Soul Fusion

Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander, Milt Jackson & the Monty Alexander Trio | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 28, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000YXL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,789 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent music that deserves to be heard, August 17, 2005

By 

Charles Andrew Whitehead (Fort Worth, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Fusion (Audio CD)

This is one of the best places to start hearing the music of the classic Monty Alexander Trio of the 70s (Jeff Hamilton drums and John Clayton on bass) together with vibist great Milt Jackson. It was Milt Jackson who bought Monty to Ray Brown's attention in the late 60s and these musicians recorded together on the Impulse label as early as 1969. John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton were part of the Trio that recorded the 1976 "Live In Montreux" album with Monty (as well as other MPS albums like "Live in Holland", "The Way It Is" and the 1983 Concord "Reunion In Europe") and their playing here with Milt in 1977 consistently swings hard, is dynamically sensitive and capable of sounding like a much bigger group when necessary. The arrangements are all tastefully handled and Monty himself is ever responsive and inspired by Milt's playing as he provides some wonderfully colorful comping and solos throughout this album. There is a funky "Soul Fusion", blues cuts, contemporary pop of the time ("Isn't She Lovely"), Richard Evans "Bossa Do Marilla", an inspired "Once I Loved" by Jobim and others. It adds up to an invigorating ensemble album and leaves you with a totally uplifted feeling. I consider this recording to be some of the best jazz playing this group has recorded and it should be considered a necessary acquisition. Enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classy album, October 5, 2007

By 

S J Buck (Kent, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Fusion (Audio CD)

This 1977 recording is well worth getting. Milt Jackson is supported by the Monty Alexander Trio with John Clayton on Bass and Jeff Hamilton on Drums.

Both Jackson and Alexander swing marvellously on the opening track 'Parking Lot Blues' (a Ray Brown tune). The second tune '3000 Miles Ago' is a slower, but still bluesy piece which provides an opportunity for Milt Jackson to demonstrate his effortless skills on Vibes. Immaculate technique, combined with rhythmic flexibility allow Jackson to go throw the gears and show why he was one of the greatest Jazz musicians of all.

The third track is an unusual version of Stevie Wonder's 'Isn't She Lovely'. Such is the quality of the playing here they make this sound as though it was written as a Jazz piece - a wonderful swinging performance.

There really isn't a bad track on the album, and the only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because there are other (better) albums featuring Milt Jackson outside of the MJQ which you should get ahead of this. Noteably a number of classic recordings with Oscar Peterson.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good get together, September 10, 2005

By 

Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Fusion (Audio CD)

Milt Jackson and Monty Alexander always worked well together; the association seemed especially to inspire Alexander. YANO, a 12-bar blues, is a highlight of the CD, with Alexander shining on his solo. The group likes to switch tempos within songs, usually going from slow to medium or up and then back to slow again. They do this effectively on COMPASSION and 3000 MILES, where the quicker middle section is really good. The title track, a weak fusion piece, falters somewhat, but the rest of this CD is very nice.