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HiRez Poll Alexander, Monty - MONTY MEETS SLY AND ROBBIE [SACD]
- Thread starter JonUrban
- Start date
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One of my very favorite surround SACD titles and one I always come back to... a great demo disc or one to simply kick back to and smile...
For those who don't know Sly and Robbie, they are the Jamaican Rhythm Kings and have performed on countless albums, supplying the beats to some of the best music to come out of Jamaica (or anyplace else, for that matter).
Monty Alexander is a technically brilliant pianist, whose traditional style does not interfere with his adventurous spirit. The teaming of these three gents left me scratching my head but I was surprised at how well this came off!
The trio concentrates on 50's and 60's hits that each have their own signature infectious groove (cuts include Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" and Ramsey Lewis' "The In Crowd"). The interpretations here are updated and Sly and Robbie don't hold back in laying down some far-out funky grooves! Monty's stylistic electric piano is overlaid to complete the scene. The result is very satisfying.
The recording is absolutely brilliant and the surround mix is extremely active and aggressive. The bass is tight and full. This title is sure to give your surround-sound system a serious workout!
I absolutely love this title. The song selection, the arrangements, the performance, surround mix, everything comes together to supply an ultimately satisfying experience. I really cannot recommend this one enough.
If I had to choose one thing to complain about, it would be that the recording is almost a bit too sparse, with too much contrast between Monty's piano and the rhythm section. It might have been nice to add a few more instruments to fill the gap... but then, perhaps not. Maybe this would have ruined the effect.
In any event, best to leave well enough alone. I give this one 9.5 points, but I'll round up to 10. You really can't go wrong here.
For those who don't know Sly and Robbie, they are the Jamaican Rhythm Kings and have performed on countless albums, supplying the beats to some of the best music to come out of Jamaica (or anyplace else, for that matter).
Monty Alexander is a technically brilliant pianist, whose traditional style does not interfere with his adventurous spirit. The teaming of these three gents left me scratching my head but I was surprised at how well this came off!
The trio concentrates on 50's and 60's hits that each have their own signature infectious groove (cuts include Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" and Ramsey Lewis' "The In Crowd"). The interpretations here are updated and Sly and Robbie don't hold back in laying down some far-out funky grooves! Monty's stylistic electric piano is overlaid to complete the scene. The result is very satisfying.
The recording is absolutely brilliant and the surround mix is extremely active and aggressive. The bass is tight and full. This title is sure to give your surround-sound system a serious workout!
I absolutely love this title. The song selection, the arrangements, the performance, surround mix, everything comes together to supply an ultimately satisfying experience. I really cannot recommend this one enough.
If I had to choose one thing to complain about, it would be that the recording is almost a bit too sparse, with too much contrast between Monty's piano and the rhythm section. It might have been nice to add a few more instruments to fill the gap... but then, perhaps not. Maybe this would have ruined the effect.
In any event, best to leave well enough alone. I give this one 9.5 points, but I'll round up to 10. You really can't go wrong here.
Cai Campbell said:
There are a number of good Monty Alexander SACDs out there. His Stereo SACD Tribute to Bob Marley on Telarc is a winner (a direct to DSD recording) as well as his Surround SACD on Concord Jazz and the one with Ernest Ranglin in Surround SACD on Telarc.
All of those are recommended !
Jeez, doesn't anyone else on this board have this disc? Vote, for cryin' out loud! And if you don't own this disc, run out an buy it. NOW!
:banana:
:banana:
mcherdering
Member
This is a great album. I found it interesting to hear old standards like Soulful Strut, The In Crowd, Do The Kool Step and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy done like this. It’s one thing to hear them with a jazz bent, but throw in the reggae influences and you’ve really got something to smile about. The mix is excellent; all 5.1 channels get ample use.
mcherdering said:
It's a fun Surround Sound SACD that gives your .1 subwoofer channel a real work out.
The arrangements are pretty wild - reggae meets jazz. But then again, all of the Monty Alexander SACDs on Telarc feature some pretty creative takes on the material.
And the 5.1 mix is by Robert Friedrich at Telarc - the same engineer behind the mixes of the LAGQ SACDs. So it's hard to miss there.
BananaSlug
1K Club - QQ Shooting Star
Interesting, and very good - 9.
bugdaddy
400 Club - QQ All-Star
Great takes on great songs; bundled up nicely in a discreet mix. This thing really cooks. My advice: Crack open a Red Stripe and play extremely loud. 
bugdaddy said:Great takes on great songs; bundled up nicely in a discreet mix. This thing really cooks. My advice: Crack open a Red Stripe and play extremely loud.
Now yer talkin!
:friday:
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
I just picked up Monty Alexander Ivory & Steel "Jamboree", Concord Jazz mch SA-CD and I assume this is the one you recommend. It is terrific in my opinion, but like the other Concord Jazz, no flashy surround effects, but very effective use of the format. I am continuing to try to obtain more of the Concord Jazz 5.1 releases, I have liked every one I have heard so far.
Chris
No, I was referring to two of his SACDs on the Telarc label:
Telarc SACD-63581 - Rock Steady by Monty Alexander (piano and melodica) and Ernest Ranglin (lead guitar) (Surround Sound SACD)
Telarc SACD-63469 - Stir It Up, The Music of Bob Marley by Monty Alexander:
(Stereo SACD)
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
I decided not to wait any longer and ordered this one before it disappears forever. This guy makes music perfect for the format.
Chris
Chris
What makes you think this SACD is going to "disappear forever"? Telarc is issuing new Super Audio CDs every month - and has been for some time !
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
I am rather certain it will disappear forever, it is just when I don't know. You may have inside information that Telarc will continue to manufacture the older releases for some time, I wasn't aware of that. I know Telarc does release SACD still but without knowing what titles will become OOP or what inventory is available of the remaining titles that aren't still being pressed I didn't want to take a chance. I doubt seriously if this title will still be available in a couple of years but it is readily available now. This the last Telarc SACD I am aware of that I wanted.
I hope Telarc continues with SACD for a long time, but I sure don't have the benefit of knowing anything about the company to be able to come to that conclusion. I do know I haven't seen anything new from Concord, Sony or Universal in ages I want. This one must be one of the very early surround SACD releases, although I didn't check the release date.
Chris
Telarc is certainly continuing to release new Surround Sound SACDs. Some of the highlights this year include the newly recorded albums by Ann Hampton Callaway, John Pizzarelli and Al Di Meola.
And Telarc is already at work on Surround Sound SACDs for next year.
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
I was just at the Telarc site and registered to receive announcements by email. I need to continue to look at the upcoming releases. Telarc is awesome, thanks for the good news.
Chris
Absolutely! Telarc continues to do record and release new Surround Sound SACDs.
I'd suggest checking out the sound clips of some of the newer Surround Sound SACDs from this year. Some of the highlights from 2006 include the SACDs by Spyro Gyra, Kunzel's Great Film Fantasies, Round Up with Frankie Laine now in Surround Sound, John Pizzarelli with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Big Band, Brecker Brothers, Ann Hampton Callaway with the Diva Jazz Orchestra and Al Di Meola.
And you can't go wrong with the Monty Alexander SACDs either. Both the Surround Sound SACDs and his early direct to DSD Stereo SACD of Bob Marley tunes.
Lots of Telarc SACDs there to choose from!
Monty Alexander is a major player on six different surround SACDs, encompassing a pretty wide range of music. The three I have are all good.
This one benefits significantly from Sly & Robbie's funkiness, and the percussive sounds all around the room are a real treat. There are some great choices among the song selections, notably "Chameleon", "Mercy, Mercy (Mercy)", and "Sidewinder". The included booklet has 5 pages on the recording itself, one page of other Telarc SACDs, and 8 pages (!) explaining SACD and multichannel setups -- a pretty good indication of the age of this one. Copyright 2000!
A solid 9. I really thought that I preferred Monty's "Rocksteady" to "Meets Sly & Robbie", but I'm going to have to give that some more consideration. Only one way to do that... :banana:
Mark Z
This one benefits significantly from Sly & Robbie's funkiness, and the percussive sounds all around the room are a real treat. There are some great choices among the song selections, notably "Chameleon", "Mercy, Mercy (Mercy)", and "Sidewinder". The included booklet has 5 pages on the recording itself, one page of other Telarc SACDs, and 8 pages (!) explaining SACD and multichannel setups -- a pretty good indication of the age of this one. Copyright 2000!
A solid 9. I really thought that I preferred Monty's "Rocksteady" to "Meets Sly & Robbie", but I'm going to have to give that some more consideration. Only one way to do that... :banana:
Mark Z
