Ron Blake – Lest We Forget – (Ron Blake, tenor & soprano sax; Joey DeFrancesco, Hammond B-3 organ; Greg Hutchinson, drums; Christian McBride, acoustic and electric bass; David Gilmour, acoustic and electric guitar; Rashawn Ross, trumpet) – Mack Ave

by | Nov 25, 2005 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Ron Blake – Lest We Forget – (Ron Blake, tenor & soprano
sax; Joey DeFrancesco, Hammond B-3 organ; Greg Hutchinson, drums;
Christian McBride, acoustic and electric bass; David Gilmour, acoustic
and electric guitar; Rashawn Ross, trumpet)  –  Mack Ave
Records MAC 1012,   64:14  2003  ****:

Ron Blake, tenor saxophonist for Christian McBride’s band since 2000,
makes his Mack Avenue Records label debut on a ten track tribute to
soul jazz legends, Charles Earland, Stanley Turrentine, and Grover
Washington, Jr. Blake even makes a mainstream nod to JJ Johnson,
throwing JJ’s composition, Lament, into the mix.

Having Joey DeFrancesco, stirring the pot on a greasy Hammond B-3,
keeps this CD firmly in soul jazz territory. Sara’s Dance, Tommy
Turrentine’s groover, gets the CD off to a swinging start. More Today
than Yesterday, the pop/Motownish hit, features Rashawn Ross on trumpet
and Joey D gently swinging before Blake returns with a full throaty
solo. Toe tapping and head nodding is an option for listeners, but I
bet you’ll be along for the ride.

Grover Washington’s pre-smooth jazz chestnuts, Happenstance and Mister
Magic, feature Blake on soprano sax on the former and back on tenor on
the latter. Blake keeps these two tracks funky enough not to enter
smooth jazz territory. (Thank goodness.) David Gilmour’s wah-wah
effects on guitar on Mister Magic are an added bonus.

You Must Believe in Spring, the Bergman/Legrand ballad, puts CD
producer McBride to full use on acoustic bass, backing Blake’s soulful
solo in a beautiful duo only performance. This track is a highlight of
the CD. Stanley Turrentine’s, Minor Chant, fits in nicely as a
Turrentine contribution, and with DeFrancesco on Hammond B-3, you get
the vibe of a Turrentine/Jimmy Smith 1960’s Blue Note session.

Making Love to You, a sappy Grover Washington Jr. composition is the
only real dud on the CD as it crosses over into smooth jazz land.
Mighty Burner, the next track and also the nickname of Charles Earland,
Hammond B-3 legend, finds quick redemption from the aforementioned
smooth jazz interlude, and features Rashawn Ross on trumpet riffing
along with Blake. This enjoyable CD is closed with a tribute to J.J.
Johnson on his moving ballad, Lament. Lest We Forget is a more than
able tribute CD and would make a nifty gift for soul jazz aficionados.

– Jeff Krow

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