Since arriving on the jazz scene in the early '90s,
Eric Reed has grown into one of the more impressive pianists and composers of his generation. Working with several Young Lions during this 2000 studio recording, including trumpeter
Marcus Printup, tenor saxophonist
Walter Blanding, Jr., bassist
Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Rodney Green,
Reed devotes most of the recording to his potent originals, highlighted by the soulful "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That," two lively hard bop vehicles ("E-Bop" and the well-named "Roller Coaster"), and the graceful ballad "Little Girls."
Reed is featured with the rhythm section in a jagged interpretation of
Elmo Hope's "La Berthe," while he is unaccompanied for his playful romp through a medley of
Thelonious Monk's "Evidence" and "Think of One," showing off a bit of stride and some wild improvising. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden