AAA Vinyl

Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander still tours at age seventy two. He was but thirty two when this live album was recorded at The Montreux Jazz Festival.

Alexander traffics in a crowd-pleasing, tuneful, dynamically vital, high-energy style comparable to the playing of Oscar Peterson or Ahmad Jamal among others. His playing can be one moment flamboyant and the next softly and delicately rendered, with stops in between for heart-felt gospel.

He was relatively unknown when he played the festival's casino June 10th, 1976 but it didn't take long for the crowd to fall for Alexander and his cohorts John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums.

The trio covers Ahmad Jamal's "Nite Mist Blues", Ellinton's "Satin Doll" and Nat Adderley's familiar "Work Song"among others, ending with the unusual closer "Battle Hymn of The Republic".

This is an exciting set, that's been superbly captured to tape by late, great British recording engineer John Timperley, who worked with many jazz greats when they recorded in England. He also recorded Cream's debut album and albums by Yes and Paul McCartney.

Timperley was not necessarily going for "see them live" sound as the drums are splayed across the soundstage, but the intimately miked set produces enormous energy and forward drive ideal for Alexander's playing style, here on a Yamaha grand. The piano recording is ultra-clean and transparent and deserving of high SPL playback. You will tap your feet!

This is one of the recent MPS reissues produced by German producer/engineer/audio writer Dirk Sommer and the AAA production, featuring careful lacquer cutting using the original master tape (a full sized copy of the cover in included), and high quality German pressing adds up to a top quality reissue. Speakers Corner produced a fine one some years ago, but this one is even better.