Excellent
Lazer | Brooklyn, NY USA | 02/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is an excellent listen. Chris Cheek's melodies are catchy and memorable, which makes _Vine_ a good starting point for the curious or uninitiated. More experienced listeners will find plenty to latch onto, as well. The ensemble really gets a chance to stretch out and interact with one another; such subtle communication suggests that these are very sensitive musicians.
_Vine_ is Cheek's second album of all original tunes. It often feels like a bit of a departure from its predecessor, _A Girl Named Joe_, but that may have more to do with the new lineup and instrumentation than anything else. _Vine_ features a quintet with Cheek (ten. & sop. saxes), Kurt Rosenwinkel (g), Brad Mehldau (p, rhodes), Matt Penman (b), and Jorge Rossy (d)."