Search - Ron Blake :: Sonic Tonic (Bonus CD)

Fresh Inspiration

Aamir Lee Bermiss | brooklyn, ny | 08/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"jazz can be very difficult to listen to these days. especially new jazz. that is, original compositions by contemporary players. so much of the newness is buried in "modern-jazz" cliches and nebulosity. it can often be terribly boring. not to mention fusions between jazz and hiphop. terrible products have come out of that union.



Ron Blake's album is one of the few exceptions to that trend. An album where the band is comprised of people who are equally comfortable in the groove and straight-ahead. the fusion sound then becomes something full of subtlety and interplay. Sonic Tonic is refreshing to hear in a scene so overrun with funk-jazz, jazz-hop trash. the musical has its own profile and sound. its own texture and drive. the drumming of Chris Dave plays no small part in that. While a few of the songs rub me the wrong way because the lean to heavily to one side of the paradigm a bit heavily or they just seem a bit over-produced, the majority of the music is practically incredible. of all the tracks, the two versions of Invocation are the most incredible pieces to come from this effort. they are potently moving.



if you're hesitant about buy the album, go for it. it is a proper gamble."

Really great jazz CD

Dorrie Wheeler | 07/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jazz fans everywhere are raving about the album Sonic Tonic by Ron Blake. The album was produced by soul/alternative artist Meshell Ndegoeocello. If you like good jazz music you will enjoy this set. The actual CD includes 11 tracks. There is also a bonus disc included which includes remixes by Carlos Mena, DJ Spinna, Jahi Sundance, Osulade & Transdub Massive. The CD is quite funky, trendy and modern. People who enjoy classic jazz will still dig this CD, but the younger crowd may also enjoy it. One song I particularly enjoyed was "Tom Blake" (DJ Spinna Free Radikalz Remix. With the bonus CD you really get your money's worth!"

How Dare You, Sir

James Bonevich | Kalamazoo, MI | 04/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just a minute now! Seems that what is needed here on these pages is a quick antidote to the previous review. For not only is Ron Blake's sophomore effort on Detroit's Mack Avenue Records *not* the worst jazz album that anyone's ever heard, it is in fact a true gem. And Blake's playing on these mostly original tunes is so tasty and satisfying that it's not even in the same *cosmosphere* with that Noodly One Who Shall Remain Nameless. Somebody didn't eat their wheaties this morning.



In fact, Ron Blake plays good tenor all over the place, not just here on "Sonic Tonic". Not to be confused with RAN Blake, Boston's other elder statesman of avant-garde piano (cf. Cecil Taylor), and not related to Vancouverite Seamus Blake, another good tenor who is also up and coming, Ron Blake has made many fine contributions to albums all across the jazz spectrum, from early associations with masters like Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson, to more recent outings with maturing lions like Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, and especially of late as a member of Christian McBride's multi-faceted neo-fusion unit.



The current offering features some excellent cross-pollination of styles from modern trad to bossa-funk and reggae. There are many nice production touches from Motown-favorite MeShell NdegeOcello, as well as some creative re-mixes on the limited edition bonus disc. The only tune that seems dispensible on the whole album might be the song "Pure Imagination", which to me is dispensible in most settings anyway, but overall this stuff is nothing to sneeze at (unless you're on bad medicine that makes you sneeze).



The reviewer below states elsewhere that he's a jazz musician in NYC, but if that's really true, then I would have to suspect Ron's gettin' the gigs he's not. Do your best to ignore sour grapes while giving "Sonic Tonic" a spin, and expect many more fine releases in the future from Ron Blake."