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Ron Blake: Lest We Forget
ByBlake's new CD, Lest We Forget , is a tribute to the late Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington Jr., and Charles Earland, and the program consists of tunes that these masters of soul jazz recorded during their careers. But despite the presence of an organist and a couple of funk tunes, this is not your ordinary, typically reverential tribute disc. For one thing, the organist is the great Joey DeFrancesco, whose powerful bass lines and formidable imagination make his every solo a swinging, inventive joy. For another, this CD introduces the gifted young trumpeter Rashawn Ross, who displays a very pretty sound and some nice ideas. His floating solo on "Mighty Burner" presents a young man with enormous potential.
In fact, the up-tempo romp "Mighty Burner" is only one of many highlights here. "You Must Believe In Spring" is a duet with Blake and Christian McBride where the bassist weaves probing lines around Blake's powerful statement of the theme. On "Sara's Dance," Blake's stealthy entrance and rolling swing are another high point. The band is tight and irresistibly funky on "Mister Magic."
Ron Blake isn't an innovator. Instead, he is a master craftsman with his own sound and ideas, and jazz needs musicians who will continue to make albums like Lest We Forget. Ron Blake proves there's still plenty of life in the organ trio.
Track Listing
Sara's Dance, More Today Than Yesterday, Happenstance, Mister Magic, You Must Believe In Spring, Minor Chant, Making Love To You, Mighty Burner, Asalto Navideno, Lament.
Personnel
Ron Blake
saxophoneRon Blake, tenor and soprano saxes; Joey DeFrancesco, organ; Greg Hutchinson, drums; Christian McBride, bass; David Gilmore, guitar; Rashawn Ross, trumpet.
Album information
Title: Lest We Forget | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records