Blake are the latest artists to be signed to the UCJ label following their link up on the social networking site Facebook and are hoping to storm the charts with their debut album – BLAKE.
They have already been compared to certain other male classical crossover groups and indeed, the style of their album cover does bear more than a passing resemblance to that of another group. They are also four immaculately groomed, well spoken and rather handsome young men, but can they sing? The answer to that is a resounding yes! After hearing their album you will dismiss any previous comparisons to other artists and appreciate the unique sound of their album and the way their voices blend together to create such perfect harmonies.
One of the appealing things of this album is its familiarity – all of the songs chosen, are ones which you will be familiar with because they are largely taken from film scores, pop songs or well known classical pieces. However, with the exception of perhaps Jerusalem, they are not the same old songs you can hear on half a dozen albums by other crossover artists. Being Blake though, they couldn’t omit a song written by the man who inspired their name. The arrangements of the various songs are also worthy of a mention as they contribute to the unique quality of this album. All four voices blend perfectly and never do you have the situation where one voice is more prominent than another. They also show their versatility in covering songs inspired by both the pop and classical genres. They don’t try to give the pop songs an operatic sound or their classical pieces a pop sound, their version of God Only Knows is perhaps a more articulate version of the original but it is still true to the overall feel of the piece.
Not all of the tracks are sung in English including their recently released single, Yo Te Voy A Amar (I’ll Make Love to You) and Toglimi Il Respiro (Take my Breath Away) which again is something that other crossover artists like to do. Blake seems to have got the balance right on this though and have included just enough to add to the crossover feel without alienating the listener.
Indeed, there are so many wonderful tracks on this album; it is hard to choose a favourite from amongst them. You have the rousing and inspiring tracks such as In Paradisum, (Gladiator) Swing Low and Jerusalem, the ethereal Vide Cor Meum and E Sara Cosi and well known and much loved favourites such as Moon River and In the Bleak Mid Winter (Bonus Track). For me though, special mention has to go to Ashokan Farewell, I Knew I Loved You and Celebration. The arrangements on these pieces are so beautiful and their voices really work together to communicate the intimacy of the lyrics, the result is quite breathtaking.
If this album is just a taste of what we can expect from Blake in the future then we can look forward to more of their work with great anticipation. These guys really will take your breath away!
Track Listing:
1.Yo Te Voy A Amar (I'll Make Love to You)
2. In Paradisum (Gladiator)
3.Moon River
4.1492 Conquest Of Paradise
5.God Only Knows
6.I Knew I Loved You (Deborah's Theme)
7.Hallelujah
8.Ashokan Farewell
9.Celebration
10.Vide Cor Meum
11.Swing Low
12. E Sara Cosi
13.Jerusalem
14. Toglimi Il Respiro (Take My Breath Away)
BONUS TRACK
15. In The Bleak MidWinter
