Organist Jeff Jenkins and his group
Cique bring back the sound and adventure of the early '70s on this CD. The music is very reminiscent of early fusion, with new grooves that would fit in very well with the groups of
Miles Davis,
Herbie Hancock, and
Lifetime. Guest guitarist
John Abercrombie is a major asset to this set although
Cique by itself certainly sounds larger than a trio. Steve Holloway plays a bodhran (Ireland's native drum) on the final number, "Stealing Home." While the individual pieces do not have overly catchy melodies, the rhythms are infectious, the playing is top-notch, and
Cique is creative within the framework of fusion without merely copying its musical influences. Releases of CDs such as
Cique stand as proof that the much-maligned fusion music is still very much alive and has room for future growth. ~ Scott Yanow