It is an interesting arc that a musician travels to develop his own musical identity.

Vancouver jazz guitarist David Blake has travelled that arc and has released his debut album Next Year People.

This is no blissed-out yoga guitar album.  Next Year People has structure and form that is built by the trio of David Blake on guitar, Wynston Minkler on bass, and Juno award winning drummer Dan Gaucher.  There is enough room within the compositions for all to exercise their chops, and each step forward with some pretty catchy work.  Blake plays with skill, precision and authority without sounding harsh or overbearing.

This trio album is not slim pickings either.  There is somethng for every emotion from the shimmery, melancholy tinged "Won't You Wait With Me", to the bouncy "Small Abyss", to the sardonic sounding "Not Your Lanai".  David Blake has thoughtfully channeled his own experiences on eight original compositions and has also included the jazz standard "My Ideal" which is a gem not to be overlooked.

Collectively, the trio can swing pretty good and the title track "Next Year People" demonstrates that.  They are pretty much on the same page and supportive of one another's efforts, though it sounds to me like Gaucher is a little too exhuberant at times.

Where the real magic lies is in the musical relationship between David Blake and bassist Wynston Minkler.  It's like they can anticipate one another's movements and give each other just the right amount of colour to enhance their playing and the compositions.  It's a joy to listen to them.

David Blake has given us a little of his west coast cool on Next Year People.  He's an artist to keep an eye on.

By Shelley Gummeson
Jan 15, 2014