Michael Blake: Kingdom Of Champa

Surf Jazz / Downtown scene
premiera polska: 1997-12-01
kontynent: Ameryka Północna
kraj: USA
opakowanie: plastikowe etui
opis:
multikulti.com * * * * 1/2
Kanadyjsko-amerykański saksofonista i kompozytor Michael Blake pierwsze kroki stawiał w legendarnej załodze Johna Luriego - Lounge Lizards. Z Johnem Lurie'm i kolegami nagrał 10 albumów, wśród których są m.in. słynne "Live in Berlin vol.1 i vol.2", "Queen Of All Ears" oraz muzyka do filmu "Get Shorty" (nominacja do Oscara).
Od lat z sukcesem przewodzi własnym projektom, intensywnie koncertuje i nagrywa (uczestniczył w nagraniu ponad 80 płyt). Jego solowy wydawniczy debiut to album "Kingdom of Champa" (Intuition). Jest to muzyczny zapis podróży artysty do Wietnamu, unikalne połączenie orientalnej muzyki tego kraju ze współczesnym jazzem.
Nagrany wraz z kuplami z "nowojorskiego podwórka", jak Steven Bernstein, Thomas Chapin, Marcus Rojas, David Tronzo, Rufus Cappadocia, Bryan Carrott, Tony Scherr, Billy Martin i Scott Neumann, został wyprodukowany przez legendarnego Teo Macero, producenta wielu płyt Milesa Davisa.
Copyright © 1996-2004 Multikulti Project. All rights reserved

Editor's Info:
The "Kingdom of Champa" was a rich nation in ancient south east Asia, almost entirely forgotten today. All that remained of the Cham culture are a few sightseeable ruins on the territory of nowadays' Vietnam (close to Da-Nang und Phan Thiet) after years and years of armed conflict in that part of the world, the Cham people are a minority in vietnamese society today, counting less than 100.000. It's that history-laden country, it's past and present, which inspired saxophonist and composer Michael Blake's debut album. "Kingdom of Champa" is based on experiences he made while travelling and living in Vietnam, the emotions engendered by that journey (visiting the familiy of his vietnamese wife), the sights and sounds of Vietnam, as well as the music of his own life in the United States, all blend together on "Kingdom of Champa" to create an exciting compositional hybrid. "Vietnam is a mystical and strange place", writes Blake in the album's liner notes, "After centuries of rule by Chinese, French, and Americans, the Vietnamese have become an independent nation and the people have begun to rebuild their lives. The spirit, beauty and hardship of these people would be the foundation for a suite of music I call Champa. To a certain extent this documentation of my experience living with my wife and her family in Vietnam is a metaphor of a journey into the self. In this place I encountered an infinite sadness that forced me to reevaluate many ideals I had established and conditionally accepted. It also brought great joy to me and an opportunity to realize my potential. My mind and soul were awakened by the extremes of the culture, no matter how I resisted to adapt to it." Thus, "Kingdom of Champa" is not only a striking debut by excellent musician but a moving, personal statement as well.

All Music Guide:
Saxophonist Michael Blake spent a month living in Vietnam with his wife and her family. Kingdom of Champa, which has six of his originals plus the traditional "Folksong," is his tribute to the country and the time that he spent in the exotic and troubled land. The music is often quite Asian-sounding, utilizing a wide variety of instruments (including bass clarinet, slide trumpet, bass flute, tuba, and cello) in unusual combinations with the emphasis often on ensembles rather than solos. The music is atmospheric, adventurous, and unpredictable modern jazz beyond category. It makes for an intriguing listen, a strong and heartfelt set by Michael Blake and his talented sidemen.
by Scott Yanow

muzycy:
Michael Blake (tenor and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet)
Steven Bernstein (trumpet, cornet, slide trumpet)
Thomas Chapin (flute, bass flute, piccolo, baritone saxophone)
Marcus Rojas (tuba)
David Tronzo (slide guitar)
Rufus Cappadocia (cello)
Bryan Carrott (vibraphone)
Tony Scherr (electric bass, acoustic bass, moonlute)
Billy Martin (percussion)
Scott Neumann (drums)

utwory:
1. The Champa Theme
2. Dislocated In Natrang
3. Folksong
4. Purple City
5. Mekong
6. Hue Is Hue?
7. Perfume River

total time - 46:04
wydano: 1997
nagrano: Recorded at Sorcerer Studios in New York City on August 20 & 21, 1996
more info: www.intuition-music.com
more info2: www.michaelblake.net