Pianist Eric Reed has done it all, from bop to gospel to standards. Like the title states, he gets adventurous here by taking the songbook of Thelonious Monk (his third such adventure) and giving it the respect it deserves by making it even MORE eccentric! He’s teamed with a group of guys who can handle the white knucklers. Seamus Blake/ts, Ben Williams/b and Gregory Hutchinson/.dr sound delightfully mischievous o pieces such as “Work” and the idiosyncratic “Gallops” which both spotlight Seamus at his richest and most flexible. Trio takes of “Thelonious” and “Evidence” are go from out-of-the-gates frenzied to peek-a-boo playfulness, with Williams and Hutchinson playing Cat and Mouse on the latter. Charenee Wade brings some lovely vocals to a sensitive and sublime “Dear Ruby (Ruby My Dear)” before the album closes with a hipper than hep take of “Ba-Lues Bolivare Ba-Lues Are” making this album one of the best roller coaster rides you’ll take this year. Yipee!
Savant Records