Shayari

RON BLAKE: Shayari
Mack Avenue, 2008

Intimate trios and duos match tenor saxophonist Blake and pianist Michael Cain with four guest stars. There’s a good variety of tones and textures, but tracks with drummer Jack DeJohnette have special appeal.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 4, 7, 9, 12+13

1. 5:39 – relaxed, lyrical waltz with lightly tripping piano & percussion
2. 8:41 – calmly grooving: well-grounded sax digs in, very cool drumming
3. 6:03 – abstracted ballad: studious sax, emotional piano, odd percussion
4. 5:55 – upbeat, furtive groove: happy sax, stuttering piano, great drums
5. 4:31 – calm ballad with rich bass, smoothly lyrical sax, gospel touch
6. 6:45 – relaxed stroll; violin & sax make an interesting combo
7. 6:05 – sax/piano duet: a casual ballad, lazy and warm
8. 7:15 – upbeat, rolling ‘70s jazz feel, latin tinge, soulful sax buried in mix
9. 2:00 – sax/piano duet: tender, bittersweet ballad, short & sweet
10. 7:24 – slow, tropical feel: calm sax, lilting piano, stately percussion
11. 4:53 – upbeat dance, happy but subdued, nice walking bass
12. 1:02 – mysterious gongs and breathy sounds, leads into…
13. 3:09 – relaxed, rising, spiritual sound; just a great blend; slow fade-out

[ Fo ] 24-Feb-08