Matt 1997 was the year that Chris Blackwell with his new label Island Jamacia Jazz released three albums by Monty Alexander, Ernest Ranglin and the saxophonist Dean Fraser in amongst them. Dean plays all types of saxophones throughout excepting baritone on what could be described as a Jazz re-working of many a classic Reggae number spanning across a few decades with the addition of some of Dean's own compositions and a Curtis Mayfield cover thrown in for good measure being "Queen of The Minstrels" or "Minstrel and Queen" as it is more well known when done by The Impressions. Dean Fraser is one of the Jamacian greats with many thinking that they have never heard Dean but if one has listened to any form of Reggae from the 1970's to today it is guaranteed thst you have heard Dean blowing one of his saxophones of whatever type. Dean got his first big break through none other than Sly Dunbar when invited by him to sit in on many sessions throughout the mid-seventies. It was at Joe Gibb's studio that Dean cut his first album "Black Man Horn" in 1978 with many to follow and it was not long after Bob Marley's death in 1981, Dean performed his famous take of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" which would have brought the audience close to tears at Sunsplash that day and made Dean Fraser Jamacia's number one sax man over night. One interesting point is Dean Fraser is just as well known as a producer these days with many a saxophone contribution to some of the biggest singles to come out of Jamacia throughout the late eighties and up to today with Dean also right behind the new digital Dancehall, Ragga and Roots styles to emerge. So you can blame Dean if Ragga is not your thing but whatever Dean is always moving forward within his productions which have included Shaba Ranks, Gregory Isaacs, Cocoa Tea, Dennis Brown, Luciana, Sly and Robbie of course, Beenie Man, Buju Banton and the list keeps going. Sly Dunbar is actually drumming in the album but only for one side of your stereo being left and Idris Muhammed is drumming from your right speaker throughout the album, (yes two drummers) so ears to the speaker if you want to hear them separately as they do play in unison but using the balance dial instead would be my recommendation for your hearing longevity. Jon Williams is the pianist, Maurice Gordon twanging guitars with Wayne Batchelor strumming bass and Larry McDonald tapping percussion when required being the rest of the band included for "Big Up!

Eleven numbers with the album having a running time of over seventy minutes with Dean Fraser and band managing to keep things interesting and moving along right throughout with Ska coming in first for Dean's take on the classic "Dick Tracy" from none other than The Skatalites days with its driving intro which just keeps driving right through with Dean blowing tenor right over this classic ska rhythm with Maurice Gordon's guitar darting in and out and Jon Williams playing a great little snappy piano solo followed by some great picking from Maurice's guitar but now we have a drum solo from Sly Dunbar with Idris Muhammed, who is keeping time with the bass drum and hi-hat and ride cymbals and Sly is slamming the snares and toms and what a wonderful little co-joined solo both drummers put together. "None A Jah Jah Children Shall Cry" follows, a Ras Michael hit from the mid seventies with Dean on soprano for this beautiful mid-timed Reggae number with a mesmerising seap that just keeps one listening as Dean plays disjointed in little bursts to a great effect with Idris Muhammed doing the front drumming within the twin drum solo for this one. More classic reggae and don't we love it as "Big Up/Armaggedon Time" is next where Dean has composed the "Big Up" section himself with "Armageedon Time" being a Willie Williams hit which actually Jackie Mitoo the keyboard king contributed too back in mid seventies and Larry McDonald does the nyabinghi percussion with Dean having a shot on alto to great effect for this one. There are Junior Byles, Mighty Diamonds, Culture and all mid seventies songs given a jazz re- working also throughout the albums duration, without a poor take on any but perhaps the album standout is the last with Dean's beautiful ballad interruption of Luciano's number 1, 1995 hit "It's Me Again Jah", which Dean actually produced and played on during the original recording and it has become a regular concert feature for him today. You will need the Rasta coloured hanky to wipe your eyes for this one.

Great mix of Reggae and Jazz with all the musicians playing absolutely superbly and it is difficult to say who is the best as the lot are stunning with their input. Wayne Batchelor's bass could not be any better who I have not mentioned and he has kept masterful timing over these riddims which Dean and the band have taken to Jazz heights. Not easy releasing seventy minutes of music and keeping up this high standard but Dean Fraser has done exactly that.