Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek: Reeds Ramble

Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek: Reeds Ramble

By Edward Blanco
May 5, 2014
View read count

Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek: Reeds Ramble

As leader of the 1995 funky, alternative/electronic music group The Bloomdaddies, saxophonist Seamus Blake released the band's debut album Bloomdaddies (Criss Cross 1110, 1996) that included fellow reed man Chris Cheek among the personnel. Twenty-years later, after forging independent careers as sidemen, big band soloists and leaders of their own groups, on Reeds Ramble, Blake and Cheek reunite once again in a jazz outing that lays down 'their' version of the oft used term "tenor madness." There's a slight double entendre with the title of the album which, not only refers to the obvious rambling saxophone play from both co-leaders but, actually is attributed to a Jerry Reed tune popularized by country guitarist Chet Atkins.

Leading off this special occasion is the melodic "Na Carreira," a Cheek selection from Brazilian composer Chico Buarque where the duo (Blake on the left and Cheek on the right channel) immediately showcase their talents featuring pianist

Ethan Iverson

piano
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Ethan Iverson and cymbal accents from drummer

Jochen Rueckert

drums
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Jochen Rueckert. Way on the other side of the jazz spectrum, the group turns in a perky rendition of the

Eddie Harris

saxophone, tenor
1934 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Harris piece "1974 Blues" offering both co-leaders with high-energy solo spots. Pianist

Jim Beard

piano
1960 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Beard's composition "Holodeck Waltz" featured the great

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter on soprano in a 1990 recording and on this rendition, is reprised by Cheek on soprano.

On the first of only two originals, Cheek's "Blue Moose" begins with an almost New Orleans-styled opening but develops quite nicely with the predictable tenor leads ably supported by a distinctive and cohesive rhythm section. The following "De Dah" features illuminates more from the same with bassist

Matt Penman

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Penman coming to the fore on a fine solo. The balladic piece of the album goes to the delicate "I Surrender Dear" offering tender phrases from the sax men while, in stark contrast, "All About Me," the other original tune, this time from Blake, possess a bebop flavor presenting solos from each member of the band.

The album concludes with a nod to modern jazz with the spacious "Lady in Languor" from fellow Canadian (Blake is from Canada) composer Vickie Yang offering non-standard harmonies in an otherwise, primarily traditional jazz setting. Teaming up once again after so many years, Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek make the wait well worth it on Reeds Ramble, a saxophone-infused session of jazz from two veteran masters of their instruments that complement each other quite well here.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Na Carreira; 1974 Blues; Holodeck Waltz; Blue Moose; De Dah; 'Til I Die; I Surrender Dear; All About Me; Lady In Languor.

Personnel

Seamus Blake

saxophone

Seamus Blake: tenor saxophone; Chris Cheek: soprano saxophone (3), tenor saxophone; Ethan Iverson: piano; Matt Penman: bass; Jochen Rueckert: drums.

Album information

Title: Reeds Ramble | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Criss Cross

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Amanda Martinez at Joe's Pub
< Previous

Fire Keeper
Next >

Seamus Blake Concerts

Oct 1 Wed

Seamus Blake Quartet

Blue Note
Milano, Italy

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.