Search - Michael Blake :: Amor De Cosmos (Hybr)

Amor De Cosmos (Hybr)
Michael Blake
Amor De Cosmos (Hybr)
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Special Interest, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #1

"A unique sound and experience driven by a unique saxophonist." - All About Jazz "Raw and playful yet elegant music....superb musicianship." - All Music Guide The NY-based saxophonist of Lounge Lizards and Slow Poke retu...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Michael Blake
Title: Amor De Cosmos (Hybr)
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Songlines
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 11/13/2007
Album Type: Hybrid SACD - DSD
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Special Interest, Pop
Styles: North America, Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 774355156728

Synopsis

Album Description
"A unique sound and experience driven by a unique saxophonist." - All About Jazz "Raw and playful yet elegant music....superb musicianship." - All Music Guide The NY-based saxophonist of Lounge Lizards and Slow Poke returns to his hometown of Vancouver to form a new sextet of outstanding creative improvisers. Blake's thoughtful, wide-ranging compositions are inspired by jazz, funk, African, and contemporary classical music. Piquant arrangements make the most of expressive options combining piano/keyboards, marimba, and percussion. Hi-res recording and multi-channel mix enhance the energy and inventiveness of the playing!

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CD Reviews

Another heady excursion from Mr. Blake
James Lamperetta | Upstate, NY | 12/17/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Saxophonist Michael Blake grew up in Vancouver, Canada however for the past twenty years he has been a part of the vibrant NYC jazz scene. In addition to a half-dozen dates as a leader, his many recording and performance credits stateside include an extended stint with John Lurie's Lounge Lizards. He also received a Composer In Residence commission with the Jazz Composers Collective and continues to be active with many of the JCC's offshoots such as the Herbie Nichols Project and Ben Allison's groups Medicine Wheel and Peace Pipe.

In 2005 he returned to Vancouver for a pair of gigs which featured him exclusively in the company of some of Canada's finest and most forward-thinking jazz musicians. Chemistry abounded and from those gigs Blake assembled the sextet featured on "Amor de Cosmos."

Commenting in the press notes that he "personally finds most jazz `under imagined'," Blake offers listeners a diverse and dynamic listen brimming with imagination. The eight original tunes play out like a supremely hip episodic mini-series for the ears.

Included is a pair of improvised duets with keyboardist Chris Gestrin- the haunting "Ghostlines" which launches the disc with a flourish of understatement and the equally compelling "The Hunt." Both are decidedly minimalist and gently steeped in the avant-garde.

"Temporary Constellation" has a Jekyll and Hyde quality whose theme evokes the wide-eyed wonder and playful mischievousness of youth before morphing into something somewhat sinister and foreboding.

The strength of Blake's writing for the ensemble, as well as the musical-muscle of the group itself shines brightly on the eleven-minute "So Long Seymour." Tension builds as the group marches in lockstep through the tune's long sinewy lines before Brad Turner and Sal Ferraras uncork stellar solos on trumpet and marimba respectively.

"The Wash Away" conjures up the spirit of South-African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim with its joyful theme. Switching to percussion Ferreras helps to gently propel the tune. Turner and Blake are heard to great effect here as is Gestrin on electric piano.

Further sweetening the pot is the fact that "Amor de Cosmos" is a high-resolution audiophile CD. Boasting Super Audio credentials as well as a multi-channel 5.0 mix, this is music that revels in this sonically superior setting.

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