Ron Blake - Sonic Tonic (Bonus Cd) (Ltd) (CD)

All Music Guide

Ron Blake is an excellent modern mainstream tenor saxophonist with a strong tone, a creative improvising style, and versatility. On this wellrounded CD, Blake digs into some of his best originals ("Tom Blake" is particularly memorable), Johnny Griffin's catchy "Dance of Passion," a lyrical version of "The Windmills of Your Mind," and a beautiful reading of "Pure Imagination." The backing ranges from straightahead in a 1960s John Coltrane vein to the use of electronics to creative funk rhythms and touches of fusion. Much of the set could have been recorded during 19651975, but it is not predictable, it doesn't lose the listener's interest, and the musicianship is topnotch. While the regular CD has 11 selections, a second limitededition CD has remixed versions of three of the songs, with "Tom Blake" and "Dance of Passion" being "reimagined" twice. Listeners who feel that the original date does not sound complete without louder bass and drums, electronic rhythms, and odd sound effects may... enjoy the second CD, but others may find this to be an odd waste, a case where more is less. However, Sonic Tonic is worth acquiring for the first disc. - Scott Yanow, All Music Guide Read more Less