The cover art on Vancouver saxophonist Cory Weeds' debut album evokes the Reid Miles graphics on the classic Blue Note albums of the '50s and '60s. That's no accident, as the music on the disc is a throwback to the soul jazz of organist Jimmy Smith, as Weeds' big-toned meat-and-potatoes playing is supported by the New York-based organ trio of Mike LeDonne, with Peter Bernstein on guitar and Joe Farnsworth on drums on this live set recorded at Weeds' club, The Cellar, in January of this year. There's nothing fancy here, and no one is trying to reinvent the wheel - this is simply honest, swinging hard bop with a lot of heart.

- Mike Chamberlain, The Hour, Montreal, Quebec

When you put a saxophone in the hands of Cory Weeds and have him performing live at a club, you're in for a jazz experience. Fortunately for us, when Weeds was performing at The Cellar Restaurant / Jazz Club this January, the performance was recorded and we can now enjoy the evening over and over on the CD Big Weeds. You have to love Cellar Live for putting out this type of quality CD, because it gives us access to shows we could not generally hear any other way.In the case of Big Weeds, it is a collection of only eight numbers, but each one is a jazz journey which meanders across the musical landscape.The CD starts with a 7:35 rendition of Darben The Red Roxx, a cut by James Moody many jazz fans will recognize. It is an excellent choice as a lead-in because it has elements that are recognizable. From there Weeds goes with his own compositions, and that too works as it let's us enjoy an accomplished saxophonist playing the music he is most familiar with, his own.To round out the sound here Weeds is joined by Mike LeDonne on Hammond b3, Peter Bernstein on guitar, and Joe Farnsworth on drums who has a killer solo on the cut Corrupted Mango. The three musicians are all accomplished performers, and they blend seamlessly with Weeds as he leads them through cuts such as For Fathead, It's Only A Paper Moon and No Bull, the longest cut here at 10:47.In general terms this is rather straight ahead jazz, no wild electronica, just music to relax and weave too. Perfect for a lazy day at the cabin, or a nice evening on the patio this summer. Sit back, sip something refreshing, and let Weeds take you to a happy place. This is one weed you want to have.

- Calvin Daniels, Yorkton This Week

When I played in the first time I got a very excited phone call from Sonny Carrington. Sonny is a tenor player and he is the father of drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. He has been listening to me for over 35 years. The last time he called me so excited over something he heard me play was when I played some Basie with a Paul Gonsalves solo. Sonny had a lot of good things to say about Cory and Mike LeDonne.

- Eric Jackson, WBGH Radio, Boston MA

Cory Weeds is the owner of the Cellar Restaurant in Vancouver, B.C. and the Cellar Live label. However, as he proves throughout Big Weeds (his first recording as a leader), he is also a very good saxophonist on both alto and tenor. Teamed with three New York veteran giants (organist Mike LeDonne, guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Joe Farnsworth), Weeds shows that he is on their level. This hard bop set, which consists of six of Weeds' originals plus "It's Only A Paper Moon" and the James Moody obscurity "Darben The Redd Foxx," features blues, ballads and straightahead jazz, all played with spirit. The music may not be groundbreaking but it swings hard, sounds fresh, and finds all of the musicians in top form. LeDonne, who originally gained recognition as a pianist, has to be one of the most underrated organists on the scene. Bernstein is always creative within this format and Farnsworth is consistently solid. But the main reason to acquire Big Weeds is for the excellent playing of the leader, who creates one colorful solo after another. Hopefully there will be many more recordings in the future from this clubowner/label head."

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Big weeds? More like huge chops and a truckload of jump and swing. Vancouver's Cory Weeds explodes out of the gate on this, his first offering as a quartet leader. While Weeds may be the dynamic owner of Vancouver's Cellar jazz club and the Cellar Live label that in just seven years has released over 30 recordings and garnered critical praise throughout North America, he has always deferred to others to lead when it comes to his own recording career -- until now. And what a debut this is, with a well-known NYC-based organ trio backing Weeds on alto and tenor sax. Supported by Mike LeDonne (Hammond B3), Peter Bernstein (guitar), and Joe Farnsworth (drums), Corey Weeds joins a long tradition of great West Coast sax players producing stellar original bop- and blues-based material. These guys swing. Hell, they rock. It's a keeper."

- Rick Gibbs, Monday Magazine, Victoria, BC

Weeds's own CD, Big Weeds, is a strong outing, with the leader arguably showing a bit of New York envy himself. He's imported three New York/Smoke jazz club heavyweights -- guitarist Peter Bernstein, organist Mike LeDonne and drummer Joe Farnsworth -- to back him. That, I say, takes guts. Weeds could surely have played with his regular Vancouver cohorts and been comfortable in those circumstances. Instead, he wanted to bask in and be inspired by the brilliance and soulfulness of three Big-Apple players who likely represent the epitome of straight-ahead playing for him. Weeds is an alto player first and a bopper above all, showing agility and a big, welcoming sound on the deep-groove blues No Bull and the aggressive closer Modal Issue. He has a hearty approach to tenor too, well-suited to the bright blues opener Darben the Redd Fox, the greasy loper For Fathead and the big, open-hearted ballad Blossoms in May." However, with Bernstein and LeDonne sharing the stage with him, Weeds has surrounded himself with truly striking players. While Bernstein and Weeds speak the same language, Bernstein speaks its more fluidly and freely, pretty much at a world-class level. LeDonne is a one-man orchestra, and a double-time, long-line whiz in Seamus Blake's league. So as good as Weeds is, Bernstein and LeDonne can't help but upstage him. But then again, the jack of many jazz trades masters none. Are those New York guys club owners too, with radio shows and blogs and their own record labels? Big Weeds is far from a vanity project. It's an honest and worthy debut from a musician who plays not only saxophones, but also a crucial role sustaining the music he loves in the city where he lives. I'll be glad to get to the Cellar the next time I'm in Vancouver, enjoy some fine music, and buy Weeds a beer.

- Peter Hum, Thriving On A Riff Blog, Ottawa