Brian Blade
Mama Rosa
Verve Records
By George W. Harris

If you had put 10 cds on your ipod, and told me to pick which one was done by drummer Brian Blade, this one would have been the last pick. I mean, this guy has done some incredible work with the likes of Wayne Shorter, Kenny Garrett, John Patitucci and Josh Redman. He has put out a few of his own releases before, most notably last years remarkable “Seasons of Changes” that mixed pop, jazz and folk stupendously.

This time around, Blade returns to his roots, the Church, and not only drums, but sings and plays guitar on a Bakers Dozen tunes that deal with relationships, most notably to God. Blades voice is warm and heartfelt; he, along with his rotating band, sound like a revisited Buffalo Springfield. Folksy tunes, sung and performed like your presenting a message to the local congregation. The stories reach into your soul-“You’ll Always Be My Baby” can be interpreted a number of ways, while “Mercy Angel” and “Faithful Brother” put your life back in perspective. Don’t expect post modern jazz here, expect to refocus your direction.