Here’s some music for those who like their music with a long neck.
David Blake’s got a sweet and delicate tone, and he uses it to impressionist joy on this t rio setting with WYnston Minckler/b and Dan Gaucher/dr. Except for the one standard “My Ideal” which features Minckler’s inquisitive bass, Blake’s trio works on thoughtful originals such as the bluesy “Small Abyss” and the lightly grooved “Eureka Europa” A flamenco feel permeates “Zunukwa” while the band gets a bit frisky and kinetic on “Not Your Lanai.” Blake’s tender tone is palpably at its best on the ballad “Won’t You Wait With Me” while he simmers like grilled onions on “Cold House, Warm Heart.” Nice outing.
Dave Stryker gets down and dirty with the funky team of Jared Gold/B3, stefon harris/vibes and McClenty Hunter/dr for an ingenious album dedicated to 70s hits. The room gets filled with smoke, and you may want to put on your floppy hat while listening to Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman/Superfly.” Stryker makes some great calls by pulling out The Association’s “Never My Love” and “ Wichita Lineman” and makes the interplay between guitar and vibes careen with delight. Even you hard rockers will find something to identify with on the surprisingly swinging reading of Pink Floyd’s “Money.” Could the Nixon years really have been this good?