Shamek Farrah & Sonelius Smith - The World of the Children (2007)

If you're wondering who Shamek Farrah was, and why his vision is important, this record won't clear up the mystery. This is a fine slab of what one expects from Strata-East, soul jazz in a spiritual vein, delivered with passion and precision. But of all the players here, the leader, and his co-billed companion, Sonelius Smith, are completely in the background, overwhelmed by the talents of their sidemen including the vibrant trumpet of Joseph Gardner and the swaggering thunder of bassist Milton Suggs. The first side of the album sounds, regrettably like warmed over Pharaoh Sanders. The second side improves things a bit, but when the lead off track is a three-minute bass solo by one of your sidemen, you can't help but wonder who's really in charge. Farrah and Smith do little to settle that argument, remaining comfortably behind the curtain. If you're a fan of the labelor the genre, this might hold your interest. If you're already indifferent, this won't change your mind. -- Rob Ferrier