| RON BLAKE - “SHAYARI” |
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| Multi-talented saxophonist Ron Blake
inhabits many worlds, and nowhere is this more apparent than on
his third release for Mack Avenue, Shayari (shy-ree). Produced
by pianist Michael Cain (who also appears on the CD), Shayari (the
meaning, in Urdu, a type of ancient poetry consisting of couplets
and a highly stylized form of verse considered extremely beautiful)
combines fertile ground from each of Blake’s worlds to create
an extraordinary landscape of its own. Showcased here in an intimate,
unplugged, trio setting, the CD also features performances by special
guests drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Christian McBride, violinist
Regina Carter and percussionist Gilmar Gomes. |
| Blake, a strikingly tall, Virgin
Islands-born native, is based in New York City. He is a well-rounded
musician and has recorded three CDs as a leader; in addition, his
discography numbers more than 50 recordings as either a guest or
sideman with leading artists. They include Roy Hargrove; Art Farmer;
the Christian McBride Band; Spirit Music Jamia; Red, Hot + Riot;
and the Grammy® nominated, Latin pop group, Yerba Buena; also,
Blake has recorded soundtracks (most recently on El Cantante starring
Marc Anthony/Jennifer Lopez). The multi-talented musician is entering
his third season as a member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live
Band. About the new recording, Shayari, Blake says, “This
record is more introspective than earlier projects. It’s
an acoustic collection of trios. Compositionally, it lends itself
to some of the ideas introduced on my most recent recording, Sonic
Tonic. I worked with Michael Cain to put this recording together;
everything stemmed from us trying to find people to collaborate
with to create a distinct, aural setting not unlike Sonic Tonic.” |
| That aural setting primarily features
the tenor saxophone, the piano, drums and percussion. Blake’s
broad, tenor tones irradiate all of the 13 tracks buoyed by Michael
Cain’s florid and fluid piano; Gilmar Gomes’s sympathetic
nuances, and Jack DeJohnette’s all-world drumming. Some of
Shayari’s songs are reprises of Blake’s older material.
The opener “Waltz For Gwen,” is a pleasing ode to his
mother, previously recorded with Blake playing soprano sax on his
first outing as a leader, Up Front and Personal, distributed by
his (then) own Tahmun Records label. The foreboding piano ostinato
drives “Atonement,” a previously un-recorded Blake
composition in two sections, laced with DeJohnette’s dramatic
fills and solo. Says Blake, “The groove on this lends itself
to something I would connect with [songs/grooves on] Sonic Tonic
[on this CD]; structurally, it’s a more improvisational approach.” |
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