The title of this disc is a perfect description of the tone from this tenor player. Russian born and Brooklyn residing Lena Bloch sounds like something out of the 50s cool school a la Warne Marsh, early Getz and Lee Konitz on this velvety collection of originals and Lennie Tristano-bred covers. The subdued team of Dave Miller/g, Cameron Brown/b and Billy Mintz/dr cook on low embers throughout, while Bloch revisits rare gems such as Marsh’s “Marshmallow” and Ted Brown’s “Featherbed.” Bloch’s sound is a balmy breeze, and her melodious solos slither with cerebral zeal. A reworking of “Star Eyes” under the guise of “Starry-Eyed” gently sizzles while pensive pieces such as “Rubato” roll in like an evening tide. The interplay between Bloch and Miller is deft and telepathic, while the whole team glides like Sonja Henie. Bloch brings back a forgotten sound that needs to be re-discovered in this cacophonic age.
Thirteenth Note