Monty Alexander commemorated his first tour of Japan in 1979 with this studio recording in Tokyo, with bassist
Andy Simpkins and drummer
Frank Gant. Although the pianist's interpretation of the standard "Broadway" is definitely in a hard bop groove, his shimmering runs are reminiscent of
Oscar Peterson or
Art Tatum. "Just in Time," powered by
Gant's brushwork and
Simpkins' imaginative bassline, finds the leader in more of a swinging mood, playfully inserting brief quotes from "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Down by the Riverside." The brisk interpretation of
Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism" explodes after a quick chorus of its well-known theme, with
Alexander exploring the full range of the keyboard.
Alexander's shining arrangement of "Never Let Me Go" (a ballad forever associated with the late pianist
Bill Evans) is initially accompanied by
Simpkins' lush arco bass and
Gant's shimmering cymbals, before he transforms it into a spacious bossa nova. His driving take of
Ma Rainey's memorable blues "See See Rider" could be used as fuel to ignite a dull party. Three bonus tracks from the same session have been added for this CD reissue, including an imaginative reworking of
John Coltrane's "Impressions," an unusually funky "Nature Boy" and a delightful reworking of
Sonny Rollins' famous calypso "St. Thomas," punctuated by
Simpkins' singing along with his bubbly bass solo. This is easily one of
Monty Alexander's best recordings of his career. ~ Ken Dryden