Search - Rufus Reid :: Gait Keeper

Doesn't knock you out the first couple of listens . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 12/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . but if you can access the vibe (admittedly very subtle and ostensibly--although not really--tired hard-bop post-bop), you'll be amply rewarded. First off, this is a band of monster players. Canadian pianist John Stetch smokes. Check out his handful of solo discs (some of which I'll probably be reviewing in the near future), if you doubt his chops. Montez Coleman, Bobby Watson's repalcement for the great Victor Lewis in the drum chair on his latest disc, is one of the smarter, defter, hipper young drummers (of which there seems to be a bumper crop). Rich Perry, tenor sax, is HUGELY underrated. He's recorded some very special discs for Steeplechase. I've never heard of trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, but he acquits himself with aplomb. OK, they can all play, but more importantly, they're a REAL BAND--their intra-conversational interplay simple astounds (check out their group improv on "Whims of the Bluebird).Second, Reid is turning into quite the composer, providing plenty of melodic meat and improvisational structure to his eight originals. And he covers the stylistic waterfront Third, there's just some kind of happening vibe in this session. It's almost as if everything's working as such a high level that the playing vaults into some kind of ur-jazz terroritory, encountered only on those magical outings where everyone plays beyond his capabilities.Something special's going down here; don't miss it."