Release : Blake Tartare - More Like Us
Artist : Blake Tartare
Album : More Like Us
Genre : Jazz
Source : CDDA
Label : Stunt Records
URL : http://www.michaelblake.net/
Date : 2006-06-05
Encoder : LAME 3.90.3 / alt-preset standard
Quality : 185kbps 44100 kHz Joint Stereo
Tracks : 10
Time : 54:23 min
Size : 76.27
1 Hush 4:52
2 The Meadows 6:55
3 Happy Old Yoy 9:33
4 To Whom This May Concern 4:03
5 Maria 7:59
6 Something In The Water 4:55
7 Africa Used To Be Home 3:51
8 Interlude With S°ren 2:08
9 Paddy Pie Face 4:37
10 Johnny Too Bad 5:30
Michael Blake has long been on the cusp of being more-well known among jazz
fans, but like his former employer John Lurie, often seems to be looking in.
Regularly recording on fellow Jazz Composer Collective projects like with Ben
Allison, he shines when given the opportunity without fail. Yet, the larger
light of the jazz masses has yet to really focus in on him.
Following the release of a stripped down trio affair on Clean Feed Records,
Right Before Your Very Earswith Allison and Jeff Ballard where a particular
rawness was revealed, he returns under the moniker of Blake Tartare where Blake
has forged a working group of musicians that share his conception creating that
elusive mix of the unique yet familiar that falls within the domain of modern
jazz. And with their second release, More Like Us, they are sounding more and
more cohesive in performance even as guest musicians are added into the mix.
The trademark sound of Michael BlakeÆs saxophone work is still the major draw to
the group even with the strong contributions from his Danish counterparts
including a number of impressive spots by pianist Soren Kjaergaard, and in a
somewhat surprising move the saxophonist opens the album with some very nice
work on the clarinet.
The soft clarity of the sound he manages with the instrument fits the mood
perfectly here, and throughout More Like Us Blake never seems out of place.
Penned by the saxophonist, ôHushö also features guest vocals by Maria Laurette
Friis that at first sounds plain and unaffected, but with repeated listens
becomes so ingrained to the musicÆs structure that she becomes another lead
voice rather than a singer lending her voice to a song.
ôHushö is an interesting opening track for Michael BlakeÆs group and shows
another facet of their sound. Along with FriisÆ vocals which Blake utilizes on
three of the ten tracks, he also incorporates other guest spots such as the
instantly recognizable, former fellow Lounge Lizard Steven Bernstein on ôHappy
Old Yoyö that was written by John Lurie. BernsteinÆs echoed delay hanging over
the band fits nicely during the nine and a half minute track.
Following the debut record by Blake Tartare, self titled, it was easy to see
that Blake had a band here that pushed each other. And although that record
comes across a little more brash and unfocused, the same intensity persists
where you can tell that each musician isnÆt playing licks or running safe route.
One of the many highlights of the more focused More Like Us though is the ballad
ôMariaö penned by Coleman Hawkins, also featuring more wordless vocals by Friis.
Overall, Michael Blake and Blake Tartare have crafted another fine album here
for Stunt Records that ideally would shed more light on the man or the band. For
those who do seek it out or come across it, they are in for a unique sound and
experience driven by a unique saxophonist.
After all, not many would include the reggae classic ôJohnny Too Badö by The
Slickers as their album closer.
Enjoy...
Thx To Support Artists!
If You Like It ! Buy It ! :)
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