(Soul-Jazz, Fusion) Ed Cherry (with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joe Ford, Nasheet Waits) - The Spirits Speak - 2001, WEB, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Ed Cherry's excellent debut for the Justin Time label represents a whole new vision for the guitarist in that he steps away from the avant-garde style played on Hamiet Bluiett's With Eyes Wide Open and pairs two jazz veterans -- Dr. Lonnie Smith, a heavyweight of the '60s soul-jazz movement, and veteran saxophonist Joe Ford -- alongside members of his generation, including drummer Nasheet Waits and vocalist Laird Jackson in a truly righteous soulfest. Cherry has written four originals: the urban bebop heard on "Lennox Ave., 1 AM," the delicately grooved "Little Girl, Big Girl," the loosely swinging title track, and his freestyle "Woo!/Sharrock," a dedication to the guitarist Sonny Sharrock. Cherry smoothly integrates Horace Silver's "Peace" into the set with the subtlety and finesse of an experienced programmer, giving the disc a tasteful and yet eminently sophisticated groove via Laird Jackson's pensive vocals. Switching to acoustic guitar on "Share a Life," Cherry underlines Jackson's sweet, pleasant timbre and pitch with just the right sensitivity. Ford's saxophone solo is just as sweet. This is a well-written song that features great soloing, and the ensemble's interplay is exceptional. Cherry brings on the funk on "Joe's Thing," a danceable groove that once again features impressive solos from both Ford and Smith. Cherry's fluent command of fresh electric and acoustic rhythms -- both traditional and contemporary, and backed by the outstanding ensemble he has formed for this date -- will keep listeners connected to these eight compositions that are equally suited for listening or dancing. (Paula Edelstein)

It’s really a shame that so few jazz followers are aware of the talents of guitarist Ed Cherry. He’s been on the scene for quite some tine now, playing gigs with such name artists as Sam Rivers, Paquito D’Rivera, and Tim Hardin, not to mention the fourteen years he spent as a sideman with the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. The Spirits Speak is only the third set as a leader to be cut by the 47-year-old guitarist since Gillespie’s death in 1993. Unique too in the fact that it marks the first time that Cherry is leading an organ combo for his own purposes, let us not forget that he excels in this format as evidenced by two current Big John Patton discs featuring the guitarist (namely Minor Swing and This One’s for Ja, both for DIW/Disc Union).
You won’t get an argument from anyone when it comes to the company that Cherry keeps. Organist Lonnie Smith and drummer Nasheet Waits hold down the fort, with saxophonist Joe Ford fronting things as a lead voice. There’s really little need for going into detail about individual tracks. With a large number of Cherry’s originals making up the program, the moods are varied and inspired. Inclined to make some sort of recommendation, a clear highlight has to be the electric twang of “Woo!/Sharrock,” where Cherry plays homage to the late Sonny Sharrock. Normally a mellower player with a single note style that recalls the approach of Grant Green, Cherry turns up the distortion on this one and rocks out.
Vocalist Laird Jackson appears on a version of Horace Silver’s “Peace” and her own “Share a Life.” While she doesn’t embarrass herself, she also doesn’t necessarily present anything of any great significance to the proceedings. That reservation aside, Cherry adds yet another solid effort to his meager discography and makes another bid for wider recognition. (C. Andrew Hovan)