Pianist
Kevin Hays shows individuality on this CD and he certainly takes chances. The compositions (all but "Invitation" were penned by
Hays) must be quite difficult to play because according to the liners "Daybreak" is 12 bars with a couple of bars in 5/4, "The Run" has sections in 5/4, 4/4 and 3/4 in every chorus and "Invitation" is completely altered. Both of the tenors (the obscure
Steve Hall and
Seemus Blake) somehow manage to sound comfortable and creative in this format which is an extension of the controlled freedom of
Wayne Shorter and
Andrew Hill. On some tracks
Hays plays an electric piano and, with
Hall's Shorter-influenced tenor, one thinks of early
Weather Report or 1970s
Herbie Hancock;
Blake adds to the atmosphere by sometimes electrifying his sax. The alert and versatile playing of bassist
Doug Weiss and drummer
Billy Hart is also quite impressive. This is thought-provoking music that grows in interest over time. ~ Scott Yanow