Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez (1934-2015), a graduate of Kingston's legendary musical academy the Alpha Boys School, was renowned worldwide as a master trombonist. Shortly after leaving school, he became a member of the famed Eric Dean's band, playing alongside Ernest Ranglin, Tommy McCook, Lloyd Brevett, and Lloyd Knibbs, among others. He was soon joined by trombonist Don Drummond, to whom he dedicated this 1969 album. In the early 1960s Rodriguez left Jamaica and emigrated to London. His instrumental virtuosity eventually earned him many sessions and gigs, most notably with rhythm and blues combo Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. In later years he featured as a member of The Specials and also with Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. This reissue finds Rodriguez back in 1969 with the opportunity to blow over contemporary Jamaican rhythms from legendary producer Bunny "Striker" Lee. Earlier that year news arrived from Jamaica of Don Drummond's passing. Lee and Rodriguez immediately decided to record a tribute album to this internationally renowned trombonist. The album takes its rhythms from the Bunny Lee All Stars, with Rodriguez's trombone overdubs and vocal interjections by Gene Rondo (aka Winston Laro) laid at T.M.C. Studios, London, in mid-1969. The album was completed in four hours, which is a testament to Rodriguez's masterful trombone skills. This reissue includes ten of the original 12 tracks. 10" in heavy card picture sleeve with poly outer sleeve.
