Search - Monty Alexander :: Facets

The Full Monty

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 08/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monty's first recording for Concord and when he was inarguably at the top of his game. Some listeners will prefer the on-location sessions for all of the pianist's twists and turns and various surprises with each chorus. But this studio date is as good as any I've heard by Monty early or late. Moreover, it's some of his most straightahead, purely "singing" playing, as the pianist puts aside the inventive games (even with dynamics and tonal colors) in favor of great "blowing" piano, showing us the technique and melodic ideas, the pure substance he's made of.



Monty's main game has been to take tunes people are familiar with and swing the heck out of them, delighting the listener with each chorus. Hard to do when people no longer have a shared common repertory and have had the swinging pendulum of the brain, the pulse of the heart, pounded into mechanical submission. But listen to what he does with an unfamiliar tune (though once sung by Nat Cole): "Lost April" is worth your undivided attention.



Even Ray Brown and Jeff Hamilton have never sounded as tight together. Moreover, the audio is pristine. If there were any "justice" in the arts, or discerning ears among the public, this one would be a major seller with a new reissue every several years. As it currently stands, American major labels aren't even bothering to record jazz any more, and Concord Music has become nothing more than a huge marketing warehouse run by trend followers and misguided, unmusical, yuppie, MBA market-makers."

Facets is a Great Album

Samuel Chell | 05/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monty Alexander is the essence of the perfect pianist. He is a joy to listen to. Facets is quite literally, a great album. Monty and Ray Brown are wonderful together."