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Slow Poke

À propos de Slow Poke

For years, Michael Blake was known among jazz-lovers as no more than ''the better of the two Lounge Lizards saxophonists,'' until his album "Kingdom Of Champa" [INT 3189-2] was released in 1997, revealing the likeable New Yorker to also possess qualities as a visionary composer, arranger and bandleader. Following this production, which was warmly accepted by critics as well as his listeners, the newly blossomed name of Michael Blake disappeared from the European scene for awhile -- but really only in Europe: Shortly after all the praise for "Kingdom Of Champa" began to die down, a quartet named Slow Poke started to stir interest in the Lower East Side of New York City - and it won’t take you long to guess who’s behind this name: Naturally no one other than Michael Blake, this time in joined forces with David Tronzo [guit], Tony Scherr [bs] and Kenny Wollesen [dr] - all excellent musicians from the creative Knitting Factory family, which has already produced such cult bands as Sexmob, Spanish Fly or the above-mentioned Lounge Lizards. Slow Poke left their status as insider tip quickly behind in New York City. Over the months, the band made regular appearances in the ‘Tonic,’ club attracting a fast-growing circle of fans. Succumbing to the demand, a ‘homemade’ CD [with the appropriate title ''Slow Poke At Home''] was recorded in Tony Scherr’s home recording studio and literally sold like hotcakes. And long before the first 'official' Slow Poke album finally was released under the title ''Redemption'', intuition’s telephone lines have been burning hot with inquiries from music journalists and fans; an amazing amount of advance interest (at least for the modest record company). Time has shown that Slow Poke had no problem justifying all the enthusiasm. Together these four make up one hell of a band; Even Blake himself says it's "the best he's ever played with." Strong words are those, but after listening to "Redemption," anyone would agree to Blake's statement. Well, almost anyone. Sorry, John.

Produits