Kenny Blake - Interior Design (1991)

Tracklist

01. Hey Mister
02. Take Five
03. What Can I Say
04. Irene
05. Little Stars
06. Harlem Nocturne
07. Alladin
08. Babylon Sisters
09. Soulmates
10. Oasis

Kenny Blake had long enjoyed a strong reputation in his native Pittsburgh when Heads Up International gave him his first taste of national exposure with his debut CD, Interior Design -- which showed the tenorist/altoist to be a solid, captivating soul-jazz improvisor who effectively combines the immediacy and accessibility of R&B, funk and pop with the freedom, spontaneity and imagination of jazz. Influenced by Hank Crawford, Grover Washington, Jr. and Stanley Turrentine (among others) but definitely his own man, Blake has an earthy, down-home appeal that serves him well on both originals and surprising Latin-influenced interpretations of Paul Desmond's "Take Five" and Earle Hagen's "Harlem Nocturne." There are a few throwaway tracks, including a dull version of Steely Dan's "Babylon Sisters" that is a mindless pop cover rather than a genuine jazz interpretation. But overall, Design paints an impressive picture of Blake.

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