Song List

Dean Fraser, Jamaica's most celebrated saxophonist, releases his first album for Island Jamiaca Jazz entitled, Big Up". The album consists of ten new tracks with radical reworking of classics from all eras of post-sixties Jamaican music, as well as his own haunting "African Elation".

On "Big Up," Dean Fraser is joined by a large group of exceptional musicians with most having Carribean connnections. Sly Dunbar, one half of the world famous Sly and Robbie production team, marks his return to an acoustic kit, alongside the drumming of Jazz Legend Idris Muhammed.

Adding Rippling runs to Dean's fluent and melodic horns, include expatriate Wayne Bachelor playing stand-up double bass, Maurice Gordon on guitar and pianist Jon Williams.

Recorded in Jamaica and New York in just a few days and containing several inspirational "one take" performances, "Big Up" is a master class in the art of Jazz/Reggae virtuosity. Combining the fine musical tradition of Dean's country and his own prodigious talent, it introduces actual Reggae compositions into a Jazz-based setting.

Some of the highlight covers include: The Skatalites' "Dick Tracy,"Ras Michael's "None A Jah Children No Cry," The Mighty Diamond's "Have Mercy," Culture's "Natty Never Get Weary," Black Uhuru's "Shine Eye Gal" and Willie Williams' Anremic "Armegeddon Time" with percussionist Larry Mc Donald contributing the Nyabinghi-style hand drumming.

Curtis Mayfield's "Queen of the Minsrels" retitled on "Big Up" as Minstrel And Queen" boasts a rhythm originating from Jamaica's revered studio one catalogue. "Big Up's" finale is fittingly hipnotic sax and pianocut of Luciano's 1995 #1 Island Jamiaca Hit, "It's Me Again Jah," a track that was arranged by Dean and also performed on when Luciano recorded it.