Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Eric Reed: Here
Eric Reed: Here
Tasteful, thoughtful and cognizant, Eric Reed is a complete musical package with a graceful style and an encyclopedic mind (which never dominates the pianist's performance). On Here, Reed joins Whitaker and Jones to produce one of the finest trio performances of the year. These three musical personalities collide and assimilate into a swing earthquake.
While Eric Reed is ever the leader, in no way does he smother his superb rhythm section. Quite to the contrary, Jones emerges as drummer of great power, springing from the mold of Philly Joe Jones and Tony Williams. His contributions are best heard on "Kokomo and Coltrane's "26-2, where the drumming abounds with challenging cross-rhythms and deft cymbal work. Whitaker's bass work in highlighted in several solos, but none more appealing than the opening of the Reed original "Wish (For My Father).
As for the leader, Eric Reed is grace personified. His style betrays a light, informed touch, particularly on ballads. Lacking the iconoclastic approach of Marcus Robert, Reed forges new ground in his playing while remaining between the lines of good taste, successfully emphasizing harmony and melody. His ballads, like "Wish or "Easy to Remember, show an easy-swinging, plush and exact approach. I can only hope to hear more of this music.
Track Listing
Stablemates; Kokomo; I.C.H.N. (For Herbie Nichols); Hymn; Why?; 26-2; Wish (For My Father); Easy To Remember; I Got Nothing; Is That; Ornate.
Personnel
Eric Reed
pianoEric Reed: piano; Rodney Whitaker: double bass; Willie Jones III: drums.
Album information
Title: Here | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: MAXJAZZ
About Eric Reed
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Eric Reed Concerts
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
