Search - Seamus Blake :: Way out Willy

Nailed It!

I. Obeirne | Philadelphia, PA USA | 05/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Blake's finest leader project yet, capturing a cohesive flow that his previous records hinted at but never quite nailed. His compositions all have a natural, if at times edgy feel, and his use of vamps are plentiful and tasteful: here a guitar solo, here a subtly complimented drum solo, here Seamus telling it how it is right up till the end of the tune on "Jupiter Line" and "Badlands".



Of course the all-star cast does this music extreme justice. Stewart's perfect pocket and always improvisatory grooves compliment LeFleming's rock-solid simplified bass lines. Kikoski and Lund offer a unique blend and the type of conversational duet rarely heard of in doubled up comping. Blake's writing, particularly on "The Jupiter Line", fills out the sound nicely and makes full use of both chord instruments throughout the album, neither getting in the other's way.



What really pushes this cut over the edge is its unique sound and its highly conversational aspect. You'll hear old jazzers talk about how things aren't how they used to be, how the great quar- and quintets of the past captured a sound that isn't found anymore. When listening to a track like "Badlands" one is reminded of the sound that Coltrane's famouse quartet captured with "Giant Steps": a soothing yet powerful blend unlike any found elsewhere in music. One feels as if everyone is always on the same page, and there is no question of the honesty and ferocity oozing from all involved.



In the end this is a huge success for an ever-changing artist telling his story. A more primal, traditionally-rooted Seamus playing beautiful melodies is exactly what I was looking for, and he delivers on all accounts."