Cheikh Ndoye: Rewmi

Cheikh Ndoye has lived in the U.S. for about 10 years since leaving his native Senegal, where as a teenager he was inspired to take up the electric bass upon hearing Jaco Pastorius. He subsequently received encouragement and guidance from two heavyweights of the instrument, Richard Bona and Jimmy Haslip. A Child's Tale is Ndoye's debut release, an eclectic mix of Bob James's covers, more African-rooted originals, and fusion/contemporary hybrids.

"Rewmi" features the versatile veterans Eric Marienthal, Russell Ferrante and Mike Miller. Ndoye's vibrantly melodic opening statement sets the yearning, contemplative mood. Ferrante's concise yet radiant solo spot precedes Marienthal's keen-edged delivery of the spiraling theme. Marienthal's soprano sax solo exudes a controlled emotional heat, and is quickly followed by Miller's less restrained workout, the guitarist propelled along by Ferrante's emphatic chords. Alas, a fadeout ending comes much too soon. The slick Bob James tracks may garner the most attention, but "Rewmi" is probably more representative of Ndoye's vision.