Search - Seamus Blake Quartet :: Echonomics

Seamus delivers yet again.

Zachary J. Powers | Savannah, GA | 04/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is amazing. Buy it now, and read this review later.OK, so now you've already bought the CD, or are ignoring my advice. Either way, here's my review. Seamus has certainly matured alot. His playing is deep and meaningful, not just technically astounding. His original compositions are great, stylistically similar to his New York peers (Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter, Chris Cheek, etc). If you're not familiar with the style, its something you should definitely check out. Its not trad jazz, but its not exactly along the lines of other, more well known young performers.Only three tunes are originals, but the two most surprising yet appealing tracks are "Rain Your Love Down" by Stevie Wonder and "God Only Knows" by Brian Wilson. Blake performs in a rock/funk/whatever-the-hell-they-feel-like group called The Bloomdaddies. In the group he and fellow saxman Chris Cheek use electronic effects and wah pedals. These techniques find their way onto this album, but don't be scared, it's all done very tastefully. He is very careful to keep the effects from being intrusive, and they always serve the music. Plus his Bloomdaddies experience has made him a master of such devices. Also as far as cohesiveness goes, this album seems more unified than his best album "Stranger Things Have Happened".The rest of the band is tight, with Ed Howard on bass and Victor Lewis on drums. Pianist David Kikoski is a musician of the highest magnitude (check out his album "The Maze"), and he and Seamus compliment each other perfectly. Kikoski is the best mostly unknown piano player I've heard.Well, if you haven't bought the album yet, do it. You shouldn't be disappointed, as long as you're open to the 'new'.Peace."