Jamaica opened at the Imperial Theatre on October 31, 1957.

First things first. If you want to listen to this soundtrack, don't forget to put on your dancing shoes and also a sun-hat. If possible, take a vacation to any tropical island and take a CD/record player with you. The soundtrack is full of infectious Caribbean rhythms blended with hot Nelson Riddle style arrangements. The pristine sound quality of the CD makes it a pleasure to listen to this soundtrack. I listened to this soundtrack four times over and over last night and loved every minute of it. I only wish Miss Adelaide Hall had more songs in it. Miss Josephine Premice adds a touch of cheekiness to the soundtrack. I also wish I had been there on opening night.

It features songs by the original cast as recorded for the premiere of the play "Jamaica" at the Imperial Theatre, New York City, in 1957. Members of the cast who lend their voices to this impressive soundtrack are Lena Horne, Adelaide Hall, Ricardo Montalban, Ossie Davis and Josephine Premice. Music and lyrics are by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg. Arlen and Harburg now turn their focus on Caribbean beats and rhythm, used with great success in this soundtrack. The end product is a soundtrack with greatly hummable and catchy songs.

There is a different version of "Ain' It De Truth" on this soundtrack with different words from those used in the song cut from "Cabin in the Sky". Savannah (Lena) extolls the virtues of "the island on de Hudson", where life is easy and living is lazy and all you have to do is "Push De Button" to make the elevator run, to make orange juice, and any other conveniences. Arlen and Harburg make social statements, with "Monkey in the Mango Tree" and "Leave De Atom Alone". Lena sings about how commercialism affects our lives in the witty "Napoleon" (after "Napoleon pastry").

The soundtrack is available on both CD and LP. I always like a CD with good liner notes. This one has excellent liner notes by Steven Suskin.

Recorded on November 4, 1957 in Webster Hall, NYC, except Coconut Sweet which was recorded on August 27, 1957 ; Neal Hefti, conductor

The album is available for purchase on eBay, or a new copy can be bought at Buymusic.com. Don't miss it!