Dean Fraser - Dean Plays Bob (1994)

Dean Fraser has been Jamaica's premier saxophone soloist since the late '70s; this release pays homage to Bob Marley. Fraser selected a wide range of Marley tunes, rather than merely recycling familiar numbers. There's roots material ("Africa Unite") and early hits ("Crazy Baldheads") as well as romantic numbers ("Pimpers Paradise," "Is This Love") and the lesser-known cuts "Rock My Boat," "Lick Samba" and "Small Axe." Fraser's solos are lush and masterfully played, but sometimes these arrangements sound disturbingly close to what's normally aired on lite jazz or new adult contemporary radio stations. Fortunately, Fraser's improvisational skills keep things from becoming tepid or detached.~Dean Plays Bob Review by Ron Wynn