Dan Blake - The Aquarian Suite (2011)

With Blake s The Aquarian Suite, to be released on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records on October 17, you have a recipe for a wildly successful jazz recording; eight new jazz compositions for chordless quartet that stretch the boundaries of modern jazz while staying true to the forms set by the masters; a Mingus meets Monk quality of blues-inflection, compositional unity, and ever-present melodicism; and an incredible band comprised of Blake on tenor saxophone, Jason Palmer (Greg Osby, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Roy Haynes, Ravi Coltrane, etc) on trumpet, Jorge Roeder (Gary Burton, Julian Lage, Alex Acuna, Maria Schneider) on bass, and the ubiquitous Richie Barshay (Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spaulding, Lee Konitz, Chick Corea, etc) on drums and percussion.

Review
Dan s playing and writing is very adventurous and sets an open pallet due to the piano-less approach, which makes The Aquarian Suite feel open, free, but keeps on cookin . This project represents a new generation of artists exploring jazz and taking it to the next level. --Larry Rosen, GRP Records

The narrative that permeates all of the compositions so beautifully embodies this deep sense of imagination, a brilliantly unique sound and musical vision. What also knocks me out is the incredible amount of adventure, humor, musical storytelling, and love that lives within each track. The powerful chemistry that exists between this band is completely infectious and invites the listener into a world of stunning compositions and musical interaction of the highest order. Listening to this record really makes me fall in love with music, over and over again." --Julian Lage, guitarist/composer

Tracklist:
1.01 - Dan Blake - The Whistler (9:14)
1.02 - Dan Blake - Mister Who (8:20)
1.03 - Dan Blake - The Best of Intentions (4:46)
1.04 - Dan Blake - How It's Done (7:52)
1.05 - Dan Blake - You Cry so Pretty (4:07)
1.06 - Dan Blake - The Road That Reminds (12:12)
1.07 - Dan Blake - Aquarian (11:20)
1.08 - Dan Blake - Epilogue: Cavemen Do It Too (7:14)