RAY BLUE - Work
Jazzheads JH 1235
Ray Blue (ts); Sharp Rodway, Kirk Lightsey, Benito Gonzalez (p); Jeff Barone (elg); Essiet Okon Essiet, Belden Bullock (b); Steve Johns (d); Ron Wilkins (tb); Neil Clark (pc)
Recorded New Jersey, no dates listed
Mainly a quintet on most tracks, Blue is joined on three by trombonist Wilkins and percussionist Clark. The opening Work is a lively, bouncy composition allowing Blue to blow some inventive, blues-based choruses against a mainly shuffle rhythm from piano, bass and drums. Lift Every Voice has the leader in gospel mode with strong support from the rhythm section. Blue has a big, warm sound and considerable control of all registers which works well throughout this programme. Sweet Emma suits him very well, a soul type blues written by Nat Adderley which gets a groovy workout on this disc. That’s All is the longest track and it shows off Blue’s considerable skill as a ballad player. He solos at length and makes full use of his burgeoning sound as he fashions an inventive solo. Amsterdam After Dark is a tough swinger and has strong solo work from the leader, Barone on guitar and Wilkins gets a good trombone workout. Throughout this release the front line are ably supported by the pianists, Essiet Essiet’s big bass sound and the busy but effectively swinging drums of Steve Johns. Blue puts his own personal stamp on standards like Our Day Will Come and Teach Me Tonight.
Overall this is an enjoyable set of blues, ballads and bop and everybody plays well throughout. At the end the leader decides to take another stab at That’s All, this time taking it even slower in ballad mode and using just Kirk Lightsey’s piano in an attractive duo setting. It brings to an end a scintillating, varied and pulsating release.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
Jazzheads JH 1235
Ray Blue (ts); Sharp Rodway, Kirk Lightsey, Benito Gonzalez (p); Jeff Barone (elg); Essiet Okon Essiet, Belden Bullock (b); Steve Johns (d); Ron Wilkins (tb); Neil Clark (pc)
Recorded New Jersey, no dates listed
Mainly a quintet on most tracks, Blue is joined on three by trombonist Wilkins and percussionist Clark. The opening Work is a lively, bouncy composition allowing Blue to blow some inventive, blues-based choruses against a mainly shuffle rhythm from piano, bass and drums. Lift Every Voice has the leader in gospel mode with strong support from the rhythm section. Blue has a big, warm sound and considerable control of all registers which works well throughout this programme. Sweet Emma suits him very well, a soul type blues written by Nat Adderley which gets a groovy workout on this disc. That’s All is the longest track and it shows off Blue’s considerable skill as a ballad player. He solos at length and makes full use of his burgeoning sound as he fashions an inventive solo. Amsterdam After Dark is a tough swinger and has strong solo work from the leader, Barone on guitar and Wilkins gets a good trombone workout. Throughout this release the front line are ably supported by the pianists, Essiet Essiet’s big bass sound and the busy but effectively swinging drums of Steve Johns. Blue puts his own personal stamp on standards like Our Day Will Come and Teach Me Tonight.
Overall this is an enjoyable set of blues, ballads and bop and everybody plays well throughout. At the end the leader decides to take another stab at That’s All, this time taking it even slower in ballad mode and using just Kirk Lightsey’s piano in an attractive duo setting. It brings to an end a scintillating, varied and pulsating release.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
