Homeward Bound

Johnathan Blake’s 2021 Blue Note debut Homeward Bound was a celebration of life and legacy that introduced the drummer-composer’s masterful modern jazz quintet Pentad featuring alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, keyboardist David Virelles, and bassist Dezron Douglas. The 8-song set is imbued with warmth and swing as heard on the album’s emotional and musical centerpiece, “Homeward Bound (for Ana Grace),” a tribute to Ana Grace Marquez-Greene, the daughter of saxophonist Jimmy Greene and flutist Nelba Marquez-Greene, who perished in the Sandy Hook tragedy. Other standout Blake originals include “Rivers & Parks,” a piece that evokes the distinctive musical styles of both Sam Rivers and Aaron Parks, and the uptempo burner “LLL” dedicated to drummer Larence “Lo” Leathers. The album also looked to unusual sources of repertoire with a stunning arrangement of the South African traditional “Abiyoyo” and a rousing cover of Joe Jackson’s 1982 hit “Steppin’ Out.”Blue Note Tone Poet Series:The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio), pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.