Michael Blake: Elevated
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While composing and arranging new music is Michael Blake's main motive, this timely KFR debut release by the Brooklyn based saxophonist offers listeners the first opportunity to hear him in a traditional setting. Blake's original compositions exist in the spiritual roots of jazz but his concept points in new directions. The ever-percussive bassist Ben Allison and visionary pianist Frank Kimbrough join drummer Mike Mazor to provide Blake's luscious tenor and soprano saxophone room to ascend.
Elevated is rich with hypnotic bass lines, chant like melodies and sultry grooves. From the swirling loop of the title track to the melancholy laden "Lucky Charms" (a nod to saxophonist Lucky Thompson), Blake's set presents an ethereal blend of east meets west. While visualizing an airport image for the cover art (the JFK TWA terminal) and song titles like "In the Arms of Ali" months before 9/11, he had no idea how haunting they would become.
This heartfelt collaboration distinguishes Blake and his cohorts from the headstrong technicians of their generation. The saxophonist is clearly carving out a unique approach that mixes the restraint of Lester Young with the spiritual vibrancy of Pharoah Sanders. Blake can be heard playing both horns at once on the dreamy tone poem "Old News, New Blues" and the only cover; a funky rendition of Abdullah Ibrahim's track for Claire Denis' film "No Fear, No Die".
"The more refined Blake becomes as a horn player and recording artist, the more he learns about finesse. Ultimately Elevated is about his move towards gracefulness. This group is terrifically tight and as each piece presents itself, a great creative thrust is achieved. I haven’t spun a more perfectly titled disc in along time."Jim Macnie, Downbeat, June 2002
"This tenor saxophonist likes to sit on the fence between tuneful simplicity and a wilder, more avant-garde bent. Here he comes off the fence and lands squarely on the side of melody. To draw a comparison between two excellent saxophonists, Blake is the anti-Chris Potter: no virtuoso, he prefers to score points with tone and tune. In this, he’s much like Miles Davis, and if a fan of Kind of Blue were to ask me why nobody’s making albums like that anymore, I might make Elevated my rebuttal. Tempos are slow to medium, the mood is contemplative, structures are sometimes arcane but never at the expense of lyricism."Paul Wells, National Post, September 2002
"Blake has climbed to the top tier of jazz artists with a bold curiosity that sees him criss-cross the musical map for ideas and inspiration."Paul Luke, The Province, June 2002
"Elevated is more of a saxophonist's CD. He doesn’t parrot or parody anyone, though; he’s much to thoughtful and disciplined a musician for that."Mark Miller, The Globe & Mail, May 2002
"If musicians like Blake can rescue the real mainstream from the hands --and mouths -- of re-creators, they can continue to prove that there's still a lot that can be created from evolutionary, as well as revolutionary, music. Undoubtedly this CD is exhibit A for the defense."Ken Waxman, Jazz Weekly.com
"Unsurprisingly, Blake continues to complement his already estimable legacy, with this wondrously gorgeous follow up to the large ensemble recording, "Drift." Whether performing on tenor or soprano saxophones, Blake inadvertently reemphasizes his status as an emerging stylist who possesses a warm and sometimes whispery tone. No doubt, "Elevated" should find its way on quite a few top ten lists for 2002. Strongly recommended!"Glen Astarita, All Music Guide, allmusic.com
"Michael Blake's quartet put on a fine show; alternately playful, sophisticated and richly melodic, the music on Mr. Blake's new album "Elevated" warmed the chilly room and left us hungry for more."The Wall Street Journal - Phil Connors, March 2002