Search - Benny Reid :: Findings

Quite lovely

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 03/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ben Reid bursts on the scene with a very attractive recording. The alto sax player, composer (all tunes are his), and band leader, with one foot in smooth jazz and the other in authentic acoustic jazz, has somehow managed to bridge the gap between these very different musics. Not that it hasn't been done before--one thinks of numerous Andy Narell recordings, Dan Siegel's recent Departure, The Yellowjackets, and Pat Metheny--but this disc strikes me as a genuinely new departure.



Reid's alto reminds me somewhat of early Peter Epstein, Yosvany Terry Cabrera, and Anthony Ortega. With a crack band of authentic jazzers (Aaron Goldberg, piano & Rhodes; Reuben Rogers, acoustic bass; Antonio Sanchez, drums; and Richard Padron--a name new to me--guitars), an authentic jazz vibe prevails. The tunes, all with attractive melodies and interesting structures, emphasize accessibility over angularity and excessive modernism. For more sophisticated listeners, this music may be too simplistic, but the glorious ensemble playing and deft soloing make for very pleasant listening, without the cloying sentimentality that so often renders smooth jazz unlistenable.



I hesitated to buy this disc because I noted the presence of vocals listed among the credits. Not to worry (for those of you, who, like me, like their jazz sans singing); the vocals are entirely of the wordless type, the human voice acting as another instrument.



Maybe not the most adventurous disc out there, Findings nevertheless manages to consistently deliver instrumental jazz of uncommon beauty and even occasionally startling accomplishment. Possible referents might be Offramp era Metheny, Steve Erquiaga's remarkable Erkiology, and Vic Juris's Blue Horizon. Fast becoming a favorite."

Fantastic!

OrthoDoc | West Hartford, CT | 03/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is absolutely awesome!!! Benny Reid really finds a way to captivate you throughout, especially with songs like Waves of Red and Dancing With My Father. I've heard the rest of his ensemble at various stages/scenarios as well, and they know how to put on a great CD. Hoping to hear the next album soon!"

A GEM WITHOUT DOUBT

K. Prousalis | drama GREECE | 06/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HATS OFF TO saxophonist BENNY REID AND HIS BAND FOR THIS MASTERPIECE .Among the best jazz recordings ever ever released.Fine wordless vocals,melody, rythm ,emotion ,spaciousness and harmony in a fine marriage of perfection.It leans towards the world jazz sector but not exactly because the modern jazz element is dominant and stronger here."