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Michael Blake: In the Grand Scheme of Things
By Track review of "Road to Lusaka"
The beginning of an unusual release, "Road to Lusaka" is the first track from Canadian-born, New York-based saxophonist Michael Blake's In the Grand Scheme of Things. While maybe not as widely known in some circles, Blake is a masterful practitioner of the art form who is at ease working in or outside of the mainstream with a discography that includes a number of recordings and credits with the Lounge Lizards, the Jazz Composers Collective and others.
Sumptuous noises encompass the cinematic openingshadowy trumpet wails and subtle nuances of exotic percussion mingled with gentle cymbal crashesand then suddenly, the resonant synchronized pulse from a Moog bass line. As the track settles into the groove, Blake and trumpeter JP Carter exchange an open dialog with sporadic and purposed statements as drummer Dylan van der Schyff splashes the ostinato theme with detailed percussion.
One of the key elements of the compositionand the entire releaseis Chris Gestrin's exceptional work on both Fender Rhodes and Micromoog. The synthesized bass riff drives the piece, providing a wide sonic backdrop for the two lead voices to travel. At the track's closing, the Moog's frequency range is thoroughly manipulated with contoured embellishments. It's an electro-acoustic thoroughfare that is absorbing and enjoyable.
Sumptuous noises encompass the cinematic openingshadowy trumpet wails and subtle nuances of exotic percussion mingled with gentle cymbal crashesand then suddenly, the resonant synchronized pulse from a Moog bass line. As the track settles into the groove, Blake and trumpeter JP Carter exchange an open dialog with sporadic and purposed statements as drummer Dylan van der Schyff splashes the ostinato theme with detailed percussion.
One of the key elements of the compositionand the entire releaseis Chris Gestrin's exceptional work on both Fender Rhodes and Micromoog. The synthesized bass riff drives the piece, providing a wide sonic backdrop for the two lead voices to travel. At the track's closing, the Moog's frequency range is thoroughly manipulated with contoured embellishments. It's an electro-acoustic thoroughfare that is absorbing and enjoyable.
Personnel
Michael Blake
saxophone, tenorMichael Blake: tenor saxophone; JP Carter: trumpet and electronics; Chris Gestrin: Fender Rhodes, Moog Micromoog synthesizer; Dylan van der Schyff: drums.
Album information
Title: In The Grand Scheme Of Things | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Songlines Recordings
Comments
About Michael Blake
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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