Four years after his debut album, “Picnic at Kontiki”, released in 2011, Ramon Alexander treats us to his second album release, “Echoes from Louwskloof”.
The opening track, “Apex” is a top song! This track bursts onto the soundscape with an explosive intro of sax and piano in synchronicity. The listener’s ear is drawn almost immediately to the tone of the sax played by Zeke Le Grange.
The piano and swinging bass line drives an energetic tempo to a brief but impressive drum solo by Annemie Nel.
Then, all of a sudden, the track slows down into a sublime bass interlude by Chadleigh Gowar whose bass picking and bass chord playing meanders deftly back into the main melody but with reduced tempo led by Annemie Nel in a bossa style. Ramon’s piano playing shines intensely on this segment of this track.
“Au Lait” begins with an undulating melody of piano and moody tenor sax then introduces a flugelhorn played by Marco Maritz. Interestingly enough, in his liner notes Ramon states that he wrote this when he was heartbroken and 19 years old. This track is well crafted to reflect the pain of unrequited love filled with moody and tumultuous emotions.
The tempo set by the piano portrays waves of emotion, the sax lines are moody at first then accelerate into impressive scales and octave ranges and at times the flugelhorn wails, lamenting the turmoil of a broken heart.
However, Ramon further states that this track has a completely new meaning to him which is why it builds up to a joyous, triumphant finish.
“This is the Greenhouse that Jack Momple built” is a musical tribute to a man whom Ramon likens as a father. Ramon’s use of the Fender Rhodes creates a vintage sound reminiscent of the era when Jack Momple played drums with Pacific Express, a band of musicians who were ground-breakers both musically and politically during the 1970’s in South Africa.
Jack Momple was a founder member of the band which nurtured many young musicians such as Tony Cedras, Jonathan Butler, Alvin Dyers, Stompie Manana, Barney Rachabane, Basil Coetzee and Robbie Jansen whose musical talents blossomed in the Greenhouse that Jack Momple built.
“I wish I knew Mankunku” is inspired by legendary sax player Winston Mankunku’s version of the Harry Warren / Mack Gordon classic, “I wish I knew”. Zeke aptly honours the memory of Winston Mankunku with excellent phrasing.
Ramon gives his very best on this track with an absolutely stunning piano solo which in itself is a Master Class performance! These two musicians are ably supported by swinging bass and drums.
“A little walk on the beach with a Sea Lion” is a fun title.
On this track Ramon uses the Fender Rhodes to create a melody that sets ones fingers into motion, inspired to keep up with the rhythm of the song.
That sweet sounding sax is as cool as an ice cream Sundae on the beach.
“Giant steps” is renowned as a sax piece as it was composed and made popular by John Coltrane.
However, Ramon leads the track with a classic keyboard sound. Zeke does not disappoint with fluent sax playing throughout, supported by Shaun Johannes on acoustic bass and Annemie Nel’s deft drum work.
“Sons and Captains” is a tribute to two of Ramon’s musical influences, viz:- Robbie Jansen and the sons of Table Mountain as well as Mac McKenzie and the Ghoema Captains.
Ghoema is an authentic Cape Town sound with mesmerising rhythmic drum beats infectiously uplifting the spirits of the listener and most certainly invokes a spontaneous dance in response.
Annemie drives this song with percussive rhythms.
Zeke’s tone is reminiscent of the late Robbie Jansen and Chadleigh’s bass lines reminds one of Mac Mckenzie when he played with The Genuines. Once again, Ramon’s solo commands the listener to take note of and appreciate his immense talent.
This track is a fitting tribute to musical icons that held high the banner of Cape musical traditions.
“Louwskloof se mense” (The people of Louwskloof) pays homage to Ramon’s hometown in Mamre, north of Cape Town. Punchy bass and piano lines with a raspy sax introduce a reflective piece of a legacy left by the Khoisan forefathers of Louwskloof.
A rhythmic drum beat driven initially by rim shots sets the tempo for a musical landscape where the musicians paint a picture of a culture rich with musical heritage.
Ramon Alexander’s “Echoes from Louwskloof” is a timeless legacy of one man’s reflection on his musical and homely heritage. Enjoy it!
You will. Get it. Repeat. Put it on repeat.
The album release date was 31 October 2015 and is available on iTunes.
The Ramon Alexander Band:
Ramon Alexander – Piano; Fender Rhodes
Zeke Le Grange – Tenor sax; Alto sax (Tracks 5, 7)
Chadleigh Gowar – Electric bass
Annemie Nel – Drums
Shaun Johannes – Acoustic bass (Track 6)
Marco Maritz – Flugelhorn (Track 2)
Recorded by Gerhard Roux and David De Villiers at SUN Studios, Stellenbosch.
Mixed by Gerhard Roux at SUN Studios.
Tracks 3, 5, 6 recorded by Shaun Johannes at Mahogany Studios, Cape Town.
Mastered by Tim Lengfeld at TL Mastering.
Ramon Alexander recorded on Yamaha CF3 Grand Piano and Yamaha keyboards.
Album design: Leonardo Fortuin and Igshann Ramjoo-mia at i-Studios.
All music composed by Ramon Alexander except “Giant Steps” – composed by John Coltrane.
Track list:
- Apex
- Au Lait
- This is the Greenhouse tha Jack Momple built
- I wish I knew Mankunku
- A little walk on the beach with a Sea Lion
- Giant Steps
- Sons and Captains
- Louwskloof se mense
Artist website: http://www.ramon-alexander.com/
Buy his music online: https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/ramon-alexander/id686872501
Follow him on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ramon.alexander1?fref=ts
Reviewed by: Granville Skippers, 16 December 2015
Granville Skippers is an avid jazzoplogist. He hosts Just Jazz”” on Radio CCFM 107.5FM from 7-10pm. He also had a short stint hosting his own radio show on All Jazz Radio, a local online radio jazz station, http://www.alljazzradio.co.za/.
Granville is also a talented bassist and lists Victor Wooten as his favourite.
Skippers is currently involved in sound engineering at Desire of all Nations Church while working on a few projects of his own. He has a keen interest in the local Jazz landscape and has often highlighted the talents of local musicians on his show “Just Jazz” on CCFM.
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