Sara's Dance; More Than Yesterday; Happenstance; Mister Magic; You Must Believe In Spring; Minor Chant; Making Love To You; Mighty Bumer; Asalto Navideno; Lament (63.58)
Ron Blake (ts,ss); Joey DeFrancesco (B3 Organ); Greg Hutchinson (d) Christian McBride (b); David Gilmore (g); add Rashawn Ross (t)
The first few notes on track one of this CD, set the superb pattem of what is to follow; a huge-toned tenor saxophonist playing along the lines of Stanley Turrentine and Johnny Griffin, full of bluesy sounds, backed principally by Joey with that special Hammond B3 sound and the sharp and neat drumming of Greg Hufchinson. Although you may associate tracks 2, 4 and 7 with the pop world, they are given enormous Jazz feeling, with "Making Love" showing Ron's pretty and versatile saprano saxophone. Rashawn Ross appears on frve tracks and makes a promising debut. Mention should also be made to David Gilmore's beautiful playing' where his is the only support instrument on JJ Johnsons charming "Lament".
This CD has many haunting musical moments and is one ofthe few modern recordings of Jazz to have quality and a lasting appeal, Don't let this one pass you
by Al Merritt
Jazz Now Interactive June 2004 Vol 14 No. 2 - Table of Contents
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