by Scott Yanow
Pianist Monty Alexander had first appeared on a Milt Jackson record in 1969. Eight years later the great vibraphonist used Alexander's trio (which included bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, future big-band co-leaders) for this spirited Pablo session that was subsequently reissued on CD through Original Jazz Classics. Much of the material is obscure (including Jackson's three originals), with Stevie Wonder's &Isn't She Lovely& being the only standard. The music, however, is as straight-ahead as one would expect from these fine musicians, and can easily be recommended to their fans.