Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley [Hybrid SACD]

Track Listings

1. Jammin'

2. Kaya

3. Heathen

4. Could You Be Loved

5. Running Away

6. Stir It Up

7. Is This Love

8. No Woman, No Cry

9. Crisis

10. I Shot the Sheriff - Monty Alexander, Steve Turre

11. So Jah Seh

12. Nesta (He Touched the Sky)

13. Could You Be Loved [Extended Remix][*] - Monty Alexander, Sly Dunbar

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander has worked with musicians such as Milt Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Rollins, but over the years he has always managed to wed North American improvisation to reggae and Jamaican folk rhythms. This CD is a happy hybrid of all of the above. Alexander weaves his American rhythm section consisting of drummer Troy Davis, bassist Hassan Shakur, and guitarist Derrick Di Cenzo with the five-man Jamaican ensemble Gumption--who back up dancehall stars like Buju Banton: drummer Rolando Alphonso, guitarist Robert Angus, keyboardist Dwight Dawes, bassist Glen Brownie, and percussionist Desy Jones. The result: Imagine the Nat King Cole Trio sitting in with the Wailers and you'll get the CD's boppish island-breezed vibe. Alexander and crew stick to Marley's melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic structures. Spliff anthem "Jamming," title tune "Kaya," and "Could You Be Loved" can rock any sports utility vehicle or summer festival, while "Heathen" rings with Alexander's raindrop chords, piercing melodica, and ethereal tonal shadings. The ska-guitar scratches drive "Is This Love?" and Alexander's gospelish pianisms echo Marley's loving laments on "No Woman No Cry." Steve Turre makes a guest appearance and his splendid seashell sound heralds "I Shot the Sheriff." Alexander's plaintive composition "Nesta"--Marley's middle name--is spiced by Jones's Rastafarian nyabinghi conga rhythms and completes this jazzy "jump up" carnival. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Stir It Up: The Music of Bob Marley,Monty Alexander,Telarc,Bop,Hard Bop,Jazz,Pop,Reggae-Pop

Jazz Music: