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Michael Blake: Drift
Blake’s superb thematic invention is supplemented by a large ensemble who sound as though they enjoy a near cosmic coexistence with the leader’s expansive jazz vernacular and shrewd melding of disparate elements, amid traces of Ellington, funk/rock and more! The piece titled, “”Toque”, features Afro-Cuban rhythms embedded amongst Tony Scherr’s funk-induced ostinato phraseology, the horn section’s tuneful harmonies and dashes of Asian modalities in conjunction with Blake and trumpeter Ron Horton’s passionate soloing.
The band burns through a straight forward four to the floor pulse on the rollicking, boisterous and brassy, “Lady Red” whereas, they homogenize a groove oriented jazz/rock/funk, enhanced by bassist Ben Allison’s profoundly stated bass lines atop memorably melodic hooks during “Afro Blake”. Yet, Blake’s strengths also reside within his ability to merge the tried and true into his deeply personal style and shrewdly envisioned concepts that seemingly transform his art and craft to lofty heights. However, the band’s crackerjack musicianship only enhances the overall scope of this mighty fine production. Vehemently recommended!
Track Listing
Drift; Mean As A Swan; Toque; The Creep; Lady Red; Teo Walks; Duty Free Suite; Dry Socket; Afro Blake; Maria; Residence.
Personnel
Michael Blake
saxophone, tenor
Peck Allmond
trumpet
Briggan Krauss
saxophone
Ron Horton
trumpet
Marcus Rojas
tuba
Steven Bernstein
trumpet
Frank Kimbrough
piano
Matt Wilson
drums
Mauro Refosco
percussion
Ben Allison
bass, acoustic
Tony Scherr
bassMichael Blake; tenor & soprano saxophones: Peck Allmond; tenor saxophone, peck horn & trumpet: Briggan Krauss; alto and baritone saxophones: Ron Horton; trumpet & flugelhorn: Marcus Rojas; tuba: Steven Bernstein; slide trumpet: Frank Kimbrough; piano: Tony Scherr; electric guitar: Ben Allison; bass: Matt Wilson; drums: Mauro Refosco; percussion
Album information
Title: Drift | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Intuition
About Michael Blake
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