Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2011

Jamaicans did not only “lively up” American R&B and turn it into reggae, they also took modern jazz and transformed it into something entirely more danceable. Jamaica Jazz is a combo that features two of the most prominent musicians of the island’s jazz scene, guitarist Ernest Ranglin and pianist Monty Alexander, backed by its most enduring rhythm section, “Sly & Robbie.” Collectively they will demonstrate how Jamaican musicians bent jazz to their own rhythmic ends, setting it to the irresistible rhythms of ska and reggae.

Cotton Club, Nov 3-4 and Blue Note Tokyo, Nov 5-7. (listing).