Ernest Ranglin is a guitarist from Jamaica. He was an early innovator developing the rhythmic guitar style associated with ska in the 1960s. He has played on a ton of ska and reggae records, but he has also played on a ton of jazz records, often with Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander. Alexander is with him on this one, as is drummer Idris Muhammed, bassist Ira Coleman, and keyboardist Gary Mayone.
Ranglin's guitar is the star of the show, but it is a very talented group. Ranglin and Alexander have a special chemistry. The record serves up eleven instrumentals, each one with laid back reggae rhythm and solid solos from Ranglin and Alexander. It is casual cocktail music but it also holds up to repeated attentive listening.
You should give it a listen. I will warn you though that Ranglin has a lot of records to his name and at least nine more with Alexander. If half of them as good as this one, it may be a while before you're done with exploring Ernest Ranglin. I know it's going to be an issue for me.
Hat tip to Sal at Burning Wood.
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