Landmarks

Blade, Brian / Fellowship Band
Blue Note
Jazz | May 2014

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2014-05-18
BRIAN BLADE & THE FELLOWSHIP BAND: Landmarks
Blue Note, 2014

MODERN JAZZ – Drummer Brian Blade has always favored a subtle, even poetic sound instead of the hard bashing that marks so many percussion-led groups. The material here is emotionally based, mostly tender and introspective, but with striking moments of dark strength.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 6, 7, 8

1. 0:56 – strange mellotron solo, circular melody sounds like its melting
2. 8:23 – meditative duo intro, then gentle flight with soprano sax, strong piano
3. 1:04 – mellow, atmospheric interlude
4. 11:38 – starts out ominous yet folksy, resolute middle section with spirited, oblique sax solo, drops back to calm, ends in darkness
5. 1:52 – reverent old folk song, slow, with droning pump organ
6. 5:40 – heroic theme over martial drums, a hint of Native American influence in the beat and searing sax cry, soars skyward, drops back to earth
7. 4:07 – bass clarinet opens a melancholy ballad / quiet march
8. 13:22 – rises from sadness to yearning with uplifting soprano sax & piano, bluesy guitar solo adds bite to middle, ends in calm reflection
9. 4:01 – relaxed, tender ballad: floats slowly downstream, rises and falls
10. 2:22 – an easygoing, optimistic song

[ Fo ] - 18 May 2014

Recent airplay

Farewell Bluebird
RebopJul 11, 2014
Farewell Bluebird
Music CasseroleJul 05, 2014
Landmarks
RebopJun 19, 2014
He Died Fighting
No Cover, No MinimumJun 13, 2014
Farewell Bluebird
No Cover, No MinimumJun 06, 2014
Farewell Bluebird
RebopJun 05, 2014

Charting

2014-05-16 — 2014-07-18 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jul 13 1
Jul 6 1
Jun 22 1
Jun 15 1
Jun 8 2
Jun 1 2
May 25 1
May 18 1

Track listing

1. Down River
2. Landmarks
3. State Lines
4. Ark.La.Tex
5. Shenandoah
6. He Died Fighting
7. Friends Call Her Dot
8. Farewell Bluebird
9. Bonnie Be Good
10. Embers