On a rare depressing ‘off’ night by Tom Harrell's Colours of a Dream band at Ronnie's recently, the one shining light was Johnathan Blake's drumming, which just never stopped swinging. One of the most likeable musicians this writer has ever encountered, with a unique low-level set-up for his kit, this is his second CD as a leader. The first (The Eleventh Hour, which took two years to release) also featured Turner and Street, a strong, sturdy bassist, while Jaleel Shaw's place is taken by Chris Potter. Though Blake is also an excellent composer, this record, with its mainly minor-key feel, is mostly a tribute to many who have helped, inspired or guided his career – like local Philadelphia heroes Sid Simmons (‘Maracas Beach’, with Potter performing on alto flute) and organist Trudy Pitts, whose mournful ‘Anysha’ is portrayed by just Turner, Street and Blake. There are tunes by Eddie Harris (the opening ‘Cryin' Blues’ with a real two-tenor tussle), Cedar Walton's familiar ‘Firm Roots’, a Jim Hall ballad, Paul Motian's ‘Circle Dance’, a ‘rhythm’ changes theme by Mulgrew Miller and a Neal Hefti Basie band book blues. The two Blake originals are ‘Born Yesterday’ (for Jimmy Greene's sadly gunned-down daughter, with Turner on soprano) and ‘The Shadower’ (for the late Dwayne Burno). Blake contributes stimulating solos to several tracks, especially a blazing blues by bassist Charles Fambrough called ‘Broski’. Blake, like Antonio Sanchez, seems to relish having exciting saxophonists in his band. They help get the blood flowing!