Planet Bluu
JaJa, 2024
9/10
The sax, flute and kalimba player T.K. Blue brings along a lot of help for these 11 colorful tracks that dance around plenty of jazz ideas.
“The Hue Of Bluu” starts the listen with flowing sax and Dishan Barber’s playful bass lines that emit much energy, and “Valley Of The Bluu Rose” follows with Orion Turre’s lively drumming that guides the rich delivery where Davis Whitfield’s glowing keys won’t go unnoticed.
In the middle, “Sky Bluu, Part 1” spotlights Blue’s animated kalimba, while “Sky Bluu, Part 2” makes great use of Wallace Roney Jr.’s soaring trumpet for the mesmerizing album highlight.
Close to the end, “Turquoise Bluu” allows for Steve Turre’s trombone to align with Blue’s meticulous sax, and “The Bluu Sea Of Our Tomorrows” exits with the busy and dense meshing of brass, bass and drums cultivating a dizzying finish.
This is Blue’s 14th release as a leader, and the inclusion of African influences helps make for a worldly and dynamic version of jazz.
Travels well with: Willie Rodriguez- Seeing Sounds; Alyssa Allgood- From Here