SEAMUS BLAKE

PLAYS THE MUSIC OF EDDIE HARRIS: EH!

Cellar Music Group

Seamus Blake, tenor saxophone/EWI & effects/voice; Tim Lefebvre, electric bass; Corey Fonville, drums; Sam Yahel, Hammond B3 organ/piano/clavinet/Fender Rhodes. Dawn Pemberton, vocals; BACKGROUND VOCALS: Seamus Blake, Tim Lefebvre, Corey Fonville, Sam Yahel, Dawn Pemberton & Scott Morin.

Seamus Blake brings smooth jazz to a higher level, using his woodwind talents, voices, and fresh, vibrant reimagined arrangements to celebrate the music of Eddie Harris. All seven of these awesome compositions were penned by Harris, except for the closing song, “Illusionary Dreams.” Blake wrote and added lyrics to this song, and vocals to his production. I enjoyed most of his contemporary arrangements and the production by Juno Award Winner Scott Morin and Grammy-winning producer, Cory Weeds.

This is a debut recording by Seamus Blake and his stellar band. They open with one of the songs that made Eddie Harris famous; “Compared To What.”  The echo factor and over-drive of reverb is a little off-putting for this reviewer.  Also, the change in the melody and the electronic arrangement is totally different from Eddie Harris’s original hit record. I am disappointed in this reimagined presentation of a song I absolutely love and have always treasured for its melody, for its funk, and especially for its political stance. The vocalist is outstanding, but I’m totally disappointed in the band arrangement.

That being said, Blake’s style is a blend of funk, soul, electronics and fusion jazz. Right away, by the riff at the top of the tune, I recognize “Listen Here.” This is an arrangement of Harris’s familiar song that elevates this tune into the realms of contemporary electronics. Tim Lefebvre is strong and powerful playing his electric bass line beneath the funk of Corey Fonville’s drums. Seamus Blake is impressive during his solo and the electronic effects support and embellish this tune with fresh arrangements. Sam Yahel plays a number of keyboards, and piano on this album.  On “Listen Here” he plays a mean Hammond B3 organ. I enjoyed and appreciated their ‘cover’ of this familiar tune.

Certainly, Seamus Blake is channeling the spirit, innovation, and experimentation that Eddie Harris always brought to the bandstand and to the studio. These fresh interpretations of Harris’s forward-thinking catalog of music brings new spunk and spice to Harris’s compositions. I think Eddie would appreciate Seamus Blake’s take on his music.

Driven by Blake’s inventive phrasing, surprising arrangements, and a host of musicians and singers who bring their best to the project, they capture the magical brilliance of Eddie Harris and what he always brought to every bandstand.

As a contemporary jazz artist, Seamus Blake repaints the face of Harris’s music in boisterous, bright colors.  This sonic canvas he creates is art for our ears.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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