Search - James Carter :: Present Tense

A true master in Jazz.

India | 05/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Detroit saxophonist James Carter was one of many 1990s jazz newcomers who thought revisiting the tradition was a better idea than inventing a music nobody had heard of before. But if Carter, a multi-reeds specialist (he plays most of the saxes, plus flute and clarinets), has never been a radical, he has been a sensationally exciting traditionalist, bringing the sounds of jazz's landmark moments alive as few can.

The renowned producer Michael Cuscuna thought Carter's power, range and inspiration had never been properly captured on a single album.

Hence this one, which embraces most styles, and Carter's entire arsenal, with the help of a young postbop band who play everything as if it were brand new.

The album starts off with a Blue Note-ish hard-bopper (with Carter's typical atmosphere of bar-room jive), and runs through a free-jazz homage to Eric Dolphy, a reflective soprano-sax rhapsody, a Latin shuffle on tenor that nods to Sonny Rollins, a lovely account of "Tenderly" (with trumpet player Dwight Adams in 1950s muted-Miles mode) and some easygoing funk.

The whole set is a jazz history, rescued from cheesiness by Carter's mastery of every technical detail.

The disc captures a wide-ranging selection of his musical preoccupations, from the Django Reinhardt ballad "Pour Ma Vie Demeure" to bop burners such as Stanley Turrentine's "Rapid Shave" and Gigi Gryce's "Hymn of the Orient".

"Present Tense" is a showcase for Carter's instrumental versatility - he is featured on tenor, soprano and baritone saxophones, flute and bass clarinet, and sounds equally at home on all of them.

The bass clarinet feature on "Shadowy Sands" is a tribute to the great baritone player Harry Carney, while his own "Bro. Dolphy" is dedicated to Eric Dolphy.

Trumpeter Dwight Adams makes his own pungent contributions alongside the saxophonist, while the rhythm section of D.D. Jackson on piano, James Genus on bass and drummer Victor Lewis is top-drawer. Rodney Jones adds guitar on three tunes.

My favourite tracks: "Rapid Shave", "Bro. Dolphy" and "Shadowy Sands".

Have a great listening experience.

"

Modern meets traditional

Louis J. Perillo | Pensacola, Fl, USA | 05/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine Modern Jazz CD, which has enough traditional elements to make it appeal to lovers of music across a broad spectrum. Tenderly is the most obvious nod to tradition, but the album is great throughout at combining the past with the present like a skilled Alchemist. The best highlights, for me, are when pianist D.D.Jackson takes center stage. I'd recommend checking out his CDs to get a taste of what wonderful composing and playing still exist nowadays in Jazz."

Bravo!

S. A. Lewandowski | erie | 05/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A master and his muses are blowin' a gale of musical winds here. James Carter,Quintet and guests are playin' to a higher level than we've come to expect from most music played in any style, format or venue. Let's not quibble about whether this is modern, avant garde, bop, post modern jazz, ballads, old or new, jazz. "Present Tense is music as art. The medium is the songs chosen. Between James Carter's masterful facility on each horn played and Michael Cuscuna's production we hear art for the ages. When James Carter reaches into his hard earned armamentum of sounds to convey his thoughts within the song I believe most listeners understand what James his saxes, flute, and that lovely bass clarinet are conveying. And the other members of this outing are up to the task as well. Dwight Adams' trumpet plays a perfect foil and complement to Carter's saxophones and woodwinds and the rhythm section of D.D. Jackson, James Genus and the always superb Victor Lewis are spot on. (This is the album that Roy Hargrove should have made instead of mailing in the mostly mediocre "Earfood")There is such a wide range of sounds, rhythms, ideas and feelings here that almost any listener should find an attention grabber with the first listen through the progression of tunes. "Rapid Shave" from Stanley Turrentine's song book is a flag-waving high energy tune that will have you smiling and moving from the opening beat...dance if you like 'cause the trumpet-saxophone unison and interplay here are certainly doin' it. James Carter's bass clarinet takes center stage on Bro' Dolphy and I think Eric Dolphy would certainly be honored by this particular dedication. D. D. Jackson piano solo here is a wonderful dessert and bridge between the bass clarinet solo statement and the uptempo exchange between Carter and Adams that is driven by the Victor Lewis to its breathtakingly abupt finish. The Django tune that follows is a perfect release toward the gentler, more melodic side of the music but as Carter digs into this one he reveals that even the prettiest song benefits from the juxtaposition of well applied strength and power. By all means give this CD or the MP3 version a listen. There is not a weak tune here. James Carter is an artist worth wide recognition. He is a now-mature master giving his all, revealing more in the span of this album than a host of other players will never know in a lifetime of playing. This album should provoke at least some thought, a smile or two, a little tear, swingin' (the flute and trumpet on Dod's Bounce)and swayin' and at least a few "AMENS""