One of today’s best mainstream drummers, Johnathan Blakes makes an impressive debut with a label that is logical for him, namely Blue Note. Blake’s band Pentad includes longtime associate Dezron Douglas/b, David Virelles/p-k, as well as relative newcombers Immanuel Wilkins/as and Joel Ross/vib. If this band tours, grab on tight!
He opens things up with a hip solo drum (“In The Beginning Was The Drum”) before letting Douglas set the tone for the rhythm team to canter under Wilkins’ searing alto on “Homeward Bound”. Ross’ vibes melds well with Blake’s shuffle and Virelles’ soulful keyboards on the grooved “Rivers and Parks” with the team building up to a dramatic climax during “Steppin’ Out”. Blake displays his soft and deft side with Virelles on the gentle “Abiyoyo” while the fires burn high and bright during “LLL” after a bit of hip hop intervals for “On The Break”. This team sounds like they have a gas on stage-you can feel the smiles.