The Spirits Speak Ed Cherry Artist

{|Ed Cherry|}'s excellent debut for the {|Justin Time|} label represents a whole new vision for the guitarist in that he steps away from the {|avant-garde|} style played on {|Hamiet Bluiett|}'s {|With Eyes Wide Open|} and pairs two {|jazz|} veterans ... Read more

{|Ed Cherry|}'s excellent debut for the {|Justin Time|} label represents a whole new vision for the guitarist in that he steps away from the {|avant-garde|} style played on {|Hamiet Bluiett|}'s {|With Eyes Wide Open|} and pairs two {|jazz|} veterans -- {|Dr. Lonnie Smith|}, a heavyweight of the '60s {|soul-jazz|} movement, and veteran saxophonist {|Joe Ford|} -- alongside members of his generation, including drummer {|Nasheet Waits|} and vocalist {|Laird Jackson|} in a truly righteous soulfest. {|Cherry|} has written four originals: the urban {|bebop|} heard on {|Lennox Ave., 1 AM,|} the delicately grooved Little Girl, Big Girl, the loosely swinging title track, and his freestyle Woo!/Sharrock, a dedication to the guitarist {|Sonny Sharrock|}. {|Cherry|} smoothly integrates {|Horace Silver|}'s {|Peace|} into the set with the subtlety and finesse of an experienced programmer, giving the disc a tasteful and yet eminently sophisticated groove via {|Laird Jackson|}'s pensive vocals. Switching to acoustic guitar on {|Share a Life,|} {|Cherry|} underlines {|Jackson|}'s sweet, pleasant timbre and pitch with just the right sensitivity. {|Ford|}'s saxophone solo is just as sweet. This is a well-written song that features great soloing, and the ensemble's interplay is exceptional. {|Cherry|} brings on the {|funk|} on {|Joe's Thing,|} a danceable groove that once again features impressive solos from both {|Ford|} and {|Smith|}. {|Cherry|}'s fluent command of fresh {|electric|} and {|acoustic|} rhythms -- both traditional and contemporary, and backed by the outstanding ensemble he has formed for this date -- will keep listeners connected to these eight compositions that are equally suited for listening or dancing. ~ Paula Edelstein Less