Memories of Barber Mack

Barber Mack, a sax player in the mento style, was Jamaican jazz guitarist Ranglin's earliest inspiration, and this is his way of saying thank you. But Ranglin doesn't seem quite sure how to say it. Part of this disc is straight-ahead jazz, with some typically liquid Ranglin fretwork. The rest combines jazz with reggae rhythms, even taking in a cover of the ska classic "Stop That Train." Some lovely dub effects from the piano, and a solid rhythm section (including Sly Dunbar making a rare appearance on acoustic drums) for the backdrop to some very inventive playing from Ranglin. It works. But you can't help wishing he'd opted for one thing or the other, instead of constantly shifting. Maybe his memories of Mack are a little mixed? --Chris Nickson