Jazz man speaks Marley

Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley By Monty Alexander Telarc Records: 2006 ALSO BY THIS ARTIST: "In Tokyo" (1979) "Goin' Yard" (2001) "My America" (2002) "Impressions in Blue" (2003) "Live at the Iridium" (2005)

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in Turbula in May 2006.

TJazz pianist Monty Alexander – who got his start in music in the house bands of Kingston's recording studios in the late 1950s – continues to return to his Jamaican roots with a new album exploring the music of bob Marley in a jazz vein.

Running through 11 of Marley's songs, plus one Alexander original, the band creates a remarkable melding of jazz and reggae. While many of the songs remain instantly recognizable, the jazz setting gives every one a new, fresh sound.