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T.K. Blue: Another Blue
ByHere, Blue puts all of his savvy and years of shedding to fruition with this release on Bob Karcy’s burgeoning Arkadia record label. Blue displays extraordinary flair and technical acumen on trumpeter Tony Branker’s composition titled Chant For Peace Eternal”. Blue’s soaring and engagingly melodic alto sax work speaks volumes while backed by a horn section consisting of Branker and trombonist Bob Ferrel. Blue’s fluid and clear toned phrasing is impressive on Wayne Shorter’s “This Is For Albert”, supported by a fiercely swinging rhythm section comprising astute veterans, Cecil Brooks III (d) and Santi DeBriano (b). Blue’s richly melodic “Evening Prayer” is sure-fire tension reliever featuring lush thematic motifs and a simply gorgeous trombone solo by Bob Ferrel. On “Evening Prayer”, Blue reaches for the heavens through a delicate, light-as-a-feather touch demonstrating his keen utilization of vibrato and tremolo techniques. Despite his proficient technical gifts, Blue is a stickler for nuance and detail, and performs as if he were walking on water, sans the overly saccharine smooth jazz stereotypes. Bud Powell’s “Hallucinations” gets a contemporary be-bop lift via Blue’s crisp yet ephemeral articulations on the flute, supported by the lightly swinging yet full steam ahead rhythm section. Other highlights are, Blue’s sprightly rendition of Miles Davis’ “Solar”, a duet performance of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night In Tunisia” featuring pianist Randy Weston and Blue’s Caribbean inspired “Pileau”.
Another Blue is a first class production, as T. K. Blue along with fine support demonstrates a well balanced compositional mix, multidimensional approach and warrants high marks for accessibility and entertainment. No frills or hidden agendas here, this is... good jazz the way it’s meant to be... * * * *
Web: www.arkadiarecords.com
Track Listing
Chant For Peace Eternal; This Is For Albert; Evening Prayer; Hallucinations; Another Blue; You Go To My Head; It’s Already All About Love; A Night In Tunisia; Crossings; Pileau; Solar.
Personnel
T.K. Blue
saxophoneRandy Weston
pianoEddie Henderson
trumpetJames Weidman
pianoOnaje Allan Gumbs
pianoSanti Debriano
bassCecil Brooks III
drumsGuilherme Franco
percussionMichael Cochrane
pianoCalvin Hill
bass, acousticGregory Bufford
drumsTony Branker
flugelhornBob Ferrell
tromboneLenny Argese
guitarT. K. Blue; Saxophones, Flute, Kalimba: James Weidman; Piano: Santi DeBriano; Bass: Cecil Brooks III; Drums: Guillerme Franco; Percussion: Michael Cochrane; Piano: Calvin Hill; Bass: Greg Bufford; Drums: Tony Branker; Trumpet: Bob Ferrel; Trombone: Lenny Argese; Guitar
Special Guests: Onaje Allan Gumbs; Piano: Randy Weston; Piano: Eddie Henderson; Trumpet
Album information
Title: Another Blue | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Arkadia Records
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