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Johnathan Blake: The Eleventh Hour
By
Kenny Barron
pianob.1943

Tom Harrell
trumpetb.1946

Mingus Big Band
band / ensemble / orchestra
John Blake
violin1947 - 2014
Part of the success of The Eleventh Hour can be attributed to Blake's considered balance between the stalwart contributions of his working group and a handful of all-star guest appearances. Blake's quintet features tight-knit personnel; tenor saxophonist

Mark Turner
saxophone, tenorb.1965

Jaleel Shaw
saxophone, altob.1978

Kevin Hays
pianob.1968

Ben Street
bass
Robert Glasper
pianob.1978

Gregoire Maret
harmonicab.1975

Tim Warfield
saxophone, tenorThe retro title track demonstrates the validity of Blake's collaborative ideas, drawing from a liberal jazz tradition that offers insight into his all-inclusive aesthetic. Reminiscent of

Herbie Hancock
pianob.1940

Toots Thielemans
harmonica1922 - 2016

Stevie Wonder
vocalsb.1950
Framed by memorable melodies, tuneful swingers like the stately "Rio's Dream" and lyrical "Time To Kill" are indicative of the record's scope, their elastic rhythmic and harmonic foundations providing ample freedom for probing individual statements. The tortuous intervals and shifting time signatures of the blistering piano-less quartet number "Of Things To Come" raises the energy level, while the evocative "Freefall" ventures into more abstract territory.
Blake revamps convention on the labyrinthine "No Left Turn" and funky "Clues." The former composition features a riveting tenor relay between Turner and Warfield, who navigate the same serial 12 tone row as

John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967

Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982
Though the majority of the date is comprised of originals, a handful of tastefully rendered covers illuminate the leader's expressive range. In addition to a sensitive interpretation of Randy Newman's ballad "Dexter's Tune" and a buoyant version of Harrell's "Blue News," a lush reworking of Glasper's pop-savvy "Canvas" concludes the session much as it beganhighlighting the spirited rapport between Maret and Glasper.
Beyond his abilities as a composer and bandleader, Blake is an authoritative and incisive drummer whose infectious energy galvanizes his sidemen, without overpowering the proceedings. His exhilarating contributions reinforce the clarity and cohesiveness of The Eleventh Hour, a most compelling debut. ">
Track Listing
The Eleventh Hour; Rio's Dream; Blue News; Dexter's Tune; Time To Kill; Of Things To Come; Freefall; No Left Turn; Clues; Canvas.
Personnel
Johnathan Blake
drumsJohnathan Blake: drums; Jaleel Shaw: alto saxophone (1, 2, 5-7, 9); Mark Turner: tenor saxophone (1-4, 6-10); Kevin Hays: piano, Fender Rhodes (2-4, 7-9); Ben Street: bass; Tom Harrell: trumpet, flugelhorn (3, 5); Gregoire Maret: harmonica (1, 10); Robert Glasper: piano, Fender Rhodes (1, 5, 10); Tim Warfield: tenor saxophone (8).
Album information
Title: The Eleventh Hour | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records
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