RON BLAKE
Lest We Forget (Mack Avenue Records)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Ron Blake's Lest we Forget is a heartfelt tribute to three deceased jazz greats - Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington Jr., and Charles Earland. Playing songs attributed to these three artists, Blake, on tenor and soprano saxophones, is joined by Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond B3 Organ, Greg Hutchinson on drums, Christian McBride on basses, David Gilmore on guitars, and Rashawn Ross on trumpet. Blake honed his chops doing stints with the Art Farmer Quintet, Roy Hargrove Quintet, and Christian McBride Band, among others, and has recorded with such notables as Benny Golson, Jimmy Smith and Arthur Taylor.

I haven't heard much of Blake's music, so I was completely surprised by the first notes coming from my speakers. My God, this guy can play and play well in any musical style. "Sara's Dance," a number associated with Mr. T. - Stanley Turrentine - was an absorbing and eloquent beginning. The next song, "More Today Than Yesterday," the old Spiral Staircase pop tune really hooked me. Starting slowly but building in intensity and passion, it demonstrates a deftness of touch and improvisation that soars lighter than air. DeFrancisco shines on this song, and Gilmore and Ross deserve mention as well for standout playing. Other favorite songs include "Mister Magic" and the Latin tinged "Asalto Navideno."

The rest of the CD confirmed my initial opinion: Blake is a formidable talent. His tenor playing is superb, his soprano evocative. So, what we have here is the second career recording as leader by a major talent, and it seems to improve with each listening. Discover Ron Blake. He's the real thing.

© 2003 - Ron Saranich