Alex Blake Quintet featuring Pharoah Sanders: Now Is The Time (Live at the Knitting Factory)

Now Is The Time documents a recent show at the Knitting Factory, and it retains a very dynamic "live" feel. Blake's quintet recalls the energy and fluidity of '60s jazz. It dwells largely within fixed harmonic constraints, but toys endlessly with the possibilities available to soloists. Sanders, of course, is a veteran of that era, and he performs a dual purpose in the group: articulately delivering melodic lines and also taking regular voyages "out" into overblown harmonic space. Blake himself largely divides his energy between exceptionally fluid walking basslines and virtuostic soloing (occasionally accompanied by Jarrett-esque vocalizations).

In fact, one of the most attractive features of Now is the way the music can turn on a dime between swinging bop, free jazz, and jazz-rock fusion. Musical literacy is not an issue here: occasional nods to the canon abound. For example, "On the Spot" builds off the first five notes of Coltrane's "Giant Steps" and takes the theme in an entirely different direction. Don't go into Now without an open ear for surprise and humor—these are serious musicians, but they aren't afraid to play around a bit.