BRIAN BLADE & FELLOWSHIP - Perceptual (2000)

Drummer Brian Blade takes the path less traveled with his sophomore release PERCEPTUAL. Rather than following the more traditional routes with which he has made his mark, Blade opts for a more ethereal, almost folk-like jazz style that incorporates everything from pop and country to avant-garde styles. It is evident that this is very personal music for Blade and his Fellowship; for the listener, it is a glimpse into the creative mind of one of the most mesmerizing percussionists in jazz.

The guitar of Kurt Rosenwinkel and the pedal steel glissandos of Dave Easley blend uniquely with Myron Walden's gentle sax and clarinet tones throughout the set, and it is obvious that Blade is continuously striving to produce a particular mood for each piece. Feeding the ebb and flow of tracks like the moving "Reconciliation" or "Patron Saint of Girls," Blade steers the group like a ship's captain with his dynamic swells. Making special appearances are pop legend Joni Mitchell, who lends dusky vocals to "Steadfast," and Daniel Lanois, usually better-known for his production skills, who contributes some creative guitar work.

Tracks
1. Perceptual
2. Evinrude-fifty
3. Reconciliation
4. Crooked Creek
5. Patron Saint Of Girls
6. The Sunday Boys (improvisation)
7. Variations Of A Bloodline
a) From The Same Blood
b) Fellowship (Like Brothers)
c) Mustangs (Class Of 1988)
8. Stead Fast
9. Trembling

MELVIN BITLER tenor & soprano saxophones
JON COWHERD piano, fender rhodes, pump piano
DAVE EASLEY pedal steel guitar
KURT ROSENWINKEL electric and acoustic guitars
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS acoustic bass and grunting
MYRON WALDEN alto saxophone, bass clarinet
BRIAN BLADE drums, acoustic guitar on (8) & (9), vocal on (9)
DANIEL LENOIS gold top Les Paul on (8), pedal steel guitar on (9)
JONI MITCHELL vocal on (8)

Recorded September 1999 at Avatar Studios NYC
BLUE NOTE 24352 35712