le Connaisseur de la Musique

Reed Seed by Grover Washington Jr. is the Greatest Jazz Album of All Time(GJAOAT).
le Connaisseur de la Musique does not make joke.
My love affair with this album began in 1978, when it was originally released. Alas, the affair was brief for the medium was cassette tape, and my Pioneer Super Tuner eventually wore it out.
Released this year on Verve Records, the flame has been rekindled.
Yes, I remember my first time well. The dark eyed foreign beauty captured me at first listen. Foreign you ask? It was my first jazz album.
Up until then, a saxophone was something Mike Ohata played in marching band. It took a trip to the Vinyl Doughnut across from Ala Moana and the mystical sounds emanating from those chic Sonab speakers to enlighten me.
What was this entrancing sound?
Reed Seed, the Greatest Jazz Album of All Time, opens up with the funk of Do Dat and Step 'N' Thru. Hypnotizing for someone who associated funk with Earth, Wind and Fire(which could have my first taste of jazz, now that I think about it).
Then, the trinity of the title track, Maracas Beach and be still my beating heart, the song that has captured me and still causes me pause, Santa Cruzin.
Santa Cruzin is not just smooth, it's smooth with a mirror finish. Smoother than anything Coltrane ever did.
No! Je ne mens pas! Lie to you I would not!
le Coltrane is nul! Une petite jeune fille!
Okay, not really.
Unfortunately, the next song is a cover of Just the Way You Are, the most covered song in the world next to Happy Birthday to You. The cover dates the album.
Loran's Dance is the caboose on this silky smooth train of epic(oui, epique!) rapture.
Reed Seed, the Greatest Jazz Album of All Time, was my most sought after CD of the last twenty years. After it's initial release it was forgotten, but not by le Connaisseur de la Musique. Entering the title into search engines was a feat of hope, promise and desperation. Someone had to have a copy of this, the Greatest Jazz Album of All Time!
Alas, the quest was futile.
Until now.
Reed Seed, the Greatest Jazz Album of All Time, est mauvais derrier!

Next on le Connaisseur de la Musique:
Why Firefall's Dolphin's Lullaby is the Greatest Song of All Time(GSOAT).

The opinions expressed by le Connaisseur de la Musique do not reflect those of The Flat Tire or its editorial staff.