Seamus Blake (tenor/soprano); Ben Monder (guitar); Sam Harris (piano); Ben Street (bass); Shawn Baltazor (drums/perc) + various strings.
(Review by Lance).
...Then three come along at once! Steve T wrote enthusiastically (I think) about Seamus Blake at the Southport Jazz Festival. I threw in my two bits after hearing him at the Black Swan on Tuesday then, come Wednesday, this CD arrives via my heavily-laden postman and, who's on tenor? Seamus Blake!
So, you guys who didn't make it to the Black Swan, you've got a reprieve in the form of a CD that will never become a coaster or a beer mat or end up in a charity shop.
Blake is, perhaps, more probing, less in your face than he was at the gigs but he, nevertheless, indicates that a lot of U.S. sax players are looking over their shoulders.
However, it's Baltazor's date. He composed and produced the album as well as laying down the drum lines.
Drummers composing? They'll be calling them musicians next!
And when they do, this will be a prime example.
The mood changes, the tempos vary, the lines are compelling. It's music to think about, to dwell upon the future, the past and the present. Where are we going? For me, Blake's trip on Momentum is where I want to be!
The CD which, incidentally, I do recommend comes with an 8-page insert of some totally meaningless images that could have been better used to inform the prospective buyers. But, then again, who ever reads [or is able to] CD inserts?
If you were at Southport, Black Swan or heard Blake on previous visits then this is for you.
Baltazor can kick ass on drums whilst piano and guitar also have their moments and Ben Street, like the club bouncer, the hotel receptionist or the customer service lady at M&S, ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Check it out.
Lance.
PS: The strings don't do any harm.
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