While critics and listeners enthusiastically focused on
Monty Alexander's excellent reggae-fied Harlem-Kingston Express Live in 2011 (which was nominated for a Grammy), he was riding the global radio charts simultaneously with
Uplift, a second album cut with his acoustic jazz trio. This follow-up date features the great pianist and a number of his now standard numbers with two different trios. The primary one includes bassist
John Clayton and drummer
Jeff Hamilton, who help deliver stellar versions of jazz nuggets such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "When the Saints Go Marching In," and "You Are My Sunshine," as well as fine readings of
Duke Ellington's "I Love You Madly," and a pair of excellent
Alexander originals including the classic "Montevideo." The second trio features bassist
Hassan Shakur and all-star Dutch drummer/vibist
Frits Landesbergen on three tracks, including
Sonny Rollins' calypso-tinged swinger "St. Thomas," a popping read of
Ahmad Jamal's "Night Mist Blues," and a nice long take on
Johnny Mandel's immortal "Close Enough for Love." The closer with the first trio is a growling, rumbling, fleet and funky take on
Muddy Waters' "I Got My Mojo Workin'." The sound is impeccably warm and balanced. For anyone who purchased the first volume -- or
Alexander fans in general -- this is not only a worthy counterpart, but an excellent addition to the pianist's catalog. ~ Thom Jurek