Eric Reed's trio meeting with bassist
Rodney Whitaker and drummer
Willie Jones III covers a lot of musical ground. Starting with a dash through
Benny Golson's "Stablemates," a playful interpretation full of quotes and detours into
Monk-like chords and classical-flavored runs,
Reed works effortlessly to keep the most familiar songs sounding new.
John Coltrane's "26-2" is performed infrequently, but the pianist delights in its meandering theme as a challenge to his improvising skills. The sole standard is a sparse, lyrical arrangement of Rodgers & Hart's tearjerker ballad "It's Easy to Remember." The bulk of the session focuses on
Reed's rewarding compositions. The jaunty "I.C.H.N. (For Herbie Nichols)" captures the spirit of a brilliant composer and pianist who was neglected by everyone except hip musicians during his all-too-brief life. The lovely miniature "Hymn" brings
Reed's background as a church musician, sounding like an elegant offertory theme. The finale is an extended performance of his alternately contemplative and tense "Ornate," a piece that leaves the listener wanting more music from
Eric Reed. ~ Ken Dryden