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Slow Poke: Listen Here
by Ludovico Granvassu
Here is a track in which the simmer might be low, but the temperature is definitely very high. “Listen Here" is a composition which Eddie Harris wrote and played with his, usual, fat groove. This, however, is a sultrier rendition by a band that made the savoring of each note, and the development of a hypnotic feel, their M.O.: Slow Poke, namely Michael Blake on saxophone, David Tronzo on guitar, Tony Scherr on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums.
Continue ReadingMichael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss
by Vincenzo Roggero
Veterano della scena downtown newyorchese,Michael Blake porta al debuttto sulla propria etichetta P&M Records, Chroma Nova, ensemble dalla configurazione particolare con quattro strumenti a corda, due percussionisti brasiliani, il leader ai sassofoni e, per la prima volta su disco, al flauto. Difficile individuare un centro gravitazionale preciso in Dance of the Mystic Bliss, forse un'intrinseca vena melodica presente nelle dieci composizioni tutte a firma Blake, ma sarebbe fare torto alla grande varietà di atmosfere, di tessiture e di groove che ...
Continue ReadingMichael Blake, Ben Wendel, Bjork and Others
by Jerome Wilson
This eclectic show has music from saxophonists Michael Blake and Jeff Coffin, vocalists Hailey Brinnel and Bjork(!), and much more. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Wally Cirillo “Smog L.A." from Explorations (Fresh Sound) 1:04 The Verve Jazz Ensemble “Studio J" from All In (Self-Produced) 4:11 Alex Weitz “Odyssey" from Rule of Thirds (Outside In Music) 10:04 Host Speaks ...
Continue ReadingA Few Of My Favorite 2023 Jazz Things (So Far) - Part 2
by Ludovico Granvassu
A retrospective of some of the most compelling tunes we heard in the first half of 2023, distilled for your enjoyment.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Michael Blake's Chroma Nova “Little Demons" Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) 0:16 Host talks 6:50 Thomas Naïm “Panama Red" On the Far Side (Rootless Blues) 8:31 Greg Ward's Rogue Parade “Dashing Towards First Light" Dion's Quest (Sugah Hoof) 13:24 Host talks ...
Continue ReadingSamuel Blaser: Routes
by Chris May
The Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond (1934-1969), the inspiration for Routes, was in certain respects a mid-twentieth Jamaican parallel of the New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Bolden pioneered jazz in the US, Drummond in Jamaica. Both achieved mythic proportions during their lifetimes and both their legends endure. Both, tragically, spent their final years in what were then called insane asylums. One difference between the two musicians is that, while no recording of Bolden has survived, if indeed ...
Continue ReadingMichael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss
by Jerome Wilson
This is saxophonist Michael Blake's new group, Chroma Nova, which contains guitar, violin, cello, bass and two Brazilian percussionists. They play a set of compositions, inspired by Blake's late mother, dancer Merle Blake, which rely on fluid rhythms and textures taken in many different directions. Blake is often the main solo voice here but he also blends in with the other instruments to create all kinds of intriguing sonic fabrics. For example, “Topanga Burns" starts with a stately ...
Continue ReadingMichael Blake: Afro Blake
by Ludovico Granvassu
Africa seems to have been a special source of inspiration for Michael Blake, as compositions like “Addis Abeba" (Elevated), “Malagasy" (Combobulate), “Mauritania" (Buzz), “Road to Lusaka" (In the Grand Scheme of Things), “Africa Used to Be Home" (More Like Us) or “Surfing Sahara" (Elevated ) attest. They are all characterized by memorable themes and an instantly recognizable sound, but there's one song that is like a “first among equals" and leaves a deep mark every time I listen to it, ...
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