Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander is captured leading a classy team of Paul Berner/b, Duffy Jackson/dr and Robert Thomas Jr./perc on this issuing of a 1982 gig in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Put in perspective, this gig has during Alexander’s days with the Concord Label group, when mainstream jazz was having a renaissance. Alexander deftly mixes traditional sounds with his reggae roots like a master chef, with the supporting cast creating an irresistible pulse on “Reggae Later” and the swaying “Montevideo” while “Samba de Orfeu” floats like a seagull.
Alexander has a rich and lyrical touch, usually opening each song with a solo chorus as on a sumptuous “Body and Soul” or Duke Ellington’s “Love You Madly” before Berner softly enters stage right. The team delivers a joyful rendition of the then-popular “Arthur’s Theme” while showing it can get down and dirty on “Swamp Fire” and “Blues For Edith” before Alexander’s fingers do a 100 yard dash on “SKJ”. This is classy and classic small group interplay, and a definite crowd pleaser.