DEAN FRASER
Retrospect (VP Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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While horns have not been recognized as a particularly vital part of Jamaican music since the glory days of first wave ska, saxophonist Dean Fraser is an exception. One of the few instrumental artists working in his own right in a field long dominated by toasters and vocal groups, Fraser continues to play straight forward reggae, though his sound is hardly limited to that. The riddims may be rock steady, but his melodic lines may dip back to ska, over to R&B, dig down for a dose of funk or fly high into the jazz stratosphere. A little bit of all that is found one place or another on Retrospect.

The emphasis here is on ballads, so things don't push much past the mid-tempo point, but Fraser proves that there's a lot of ground to cover within that range. There are a few vocal tracks, with notable support from the Mighty Diamonds on "Africa" and Beres Hammond on "Got To Get Away." When voices are absent, it's Fraser's sax taking the point, fronting a roster of Jamaican A-listers.

This is suitable for service as "background reggae," but it's worth taking the time to dig a little. It's smooth on the surface, but these still waters do run deep.

Track List: Love In The Seventh Heaven * Africa * Mento In Sax * Got To Get Away * My Sax * Garden Of Eden * Enlighten Memories * This One's For Melba Liston * Heavy Load * A Song * Pure Delight * Astro Mental Sax

© 1999 - Shaun Dale