Michael Blake opts for a simple quartet aesthetic on this aptly named release. The lineup is a Jazz Composers Collective who’s who: Ben Allison on bass, Frank Kimbrough on piano, Mike Mazor on drums. Some of the tunes will be familiar to those who’ve heard Blake at the Collective’s New York concert series over the last couple of years.
There’s an Eastern tinge to some tracks — particularly "In the Arms of Ali,""Surfing Sahara," and "Addis Ababa." Kimbrough plays a particularly strong solo on Abdullah Ibrahim’s "Calypso Minor" (the only non-Blake tune), and meshes with Blake’s soprano tightly on the bright, free-bop-ish "Merle the Pearl." Both "Elevated" and "Anthem for No Country" begin with major-key rubato passages and evolve into loose grooves; the former recalls John Coltrane’s "Dear Lord" to some extent. "Lucky Charms," which Blake wrote in honor of saxophonist Lucky Thompson, is a dark-hued ballad, performed in classic jazz style. The disc ends with Blake doing some two-horn riffing on "New Blues, Old News," based on a laid-back three-bar vamp. (He also does the double-horn bit on parts of "Calypso Minor.")
A melodic and relatively sober statement, Elevated privileges the lyrical side of Blake, one of the Collective’s rougher, more avant-leaning constituents. - David Adler
This 2002 release marks New York City-based saxophonist Michael Blake's third solo effort. On this outing, the artist enlists fellow Jazz Composers Collective instrumentalists bassist Ben Allison, pianist Frank Kimbrough, and drummer Mike Mazor. 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. On the opener, "In the Arms of Ali," Kimbrough states a lower-register ostinato for what could seem like a hard rock motif. Here, Blake's meditative soprano sax lines cast an organic feel and spiritual aura atop his associates' intricately devised modalities. The quartet seemingly reworks the familiar bassline of John Coltrane's classic "A Love Supreme" into a laid-back groove, further enhanced by Blake's robust choruses and R&B-style musings. This altogether divergent program also features a funk-tinged blues number along with some gospel elements amid climactic opuses and the soloists' exquisite exchanges. No doubt, Elevated should finds its way onto quite a few Top Ten lists for 2002. Strongly recommended. - Glenn Astarita
Tracks
1. In The Arms Of Ali
2. Surfing Sahara
3. Elevated
4. Addis Ababa
5. Merle The Pearl
6. Calypso Minor (Abdullah Ibrahim)
7. Lucky Charms
8. Anthem For No Country
9. New Blues, Old News
BEN ALLISON bass
MIKE MAZOR drums
FRANK KIMBROUGH piano
MICHAEL BLAKE tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Music composed by Michael Blake, except (6) by Abdullah Ibrahim
Recorded July 6, 2000 at Current Sounds NYC
Knitting Factory Works – KFW 304