Very good . . .
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 02/27/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
". . . but it sounds like she's trying just a little bit too hard. First off, I think it's a mistake to make such a spiritually overwrought disc on one's first recognizable-label outing (she has a previously released self-produced disc, Pillar of Strength): it's almost as if you've got to earn the right to be exhortative a la labelmate Sean Jones, who waited until his third release, Roots, to go the Gospel/jazz route.
Second, it's admirable, in a way, to opt for an all-woman core band (Miki Hayama, piano; Miriam Sullivan, bass; and Kim Thompson, drums), but do these players represent the absolute top practitioners on their various instruments? Which is not to say that Fuller's bandmates particularly lack anything; it's just that the choice of three "side-women" seems more politically than musically motivated. And it must be said that when labelmates Ron Blake and Sean Jones appear, they tend to dominate the proceedings. A sexist observation? Perhaps so, but I'm just trying to call it like it is.
Third, I think she should ditch the soprano saxophone. She has such a distinct and formidable alto concept with apposite chops, that whenever she chooses soprano, it seems like a huge mistake: she just doesn't have either the concept or technique to wrest the needed orientation and tone from that awkward instrument. (A side note: I chided her in an earlier review for her alto playing on Sean Jones's Roots, but it turns out that she was playing soprano on the numbers I didn't like, although she wasn't credited on that disc as playing that horn.)
All that said, this is quite a fine outing, one that deserves at least ****1/2 stars, and has many pleasures and a good deal of absolutely fine playing: You certainly would acquire a fine disc if you picked this recording up. This is a jazzer to watch closely."
Very good album, with a definitely growing group.-- Get thi
JCBM | 07/15/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"To paraphrase Branford Marsalis, there are some good days and nights, when the notes are right and the music comes together. On this recording, we get all those elements. Good compositons, and good chemistry between the band members, and the album also features some high level improvisation, with the leader's beautiful alto and soprano tones.
To continue with Branford Marsalis, the Great days and nights have all the elements of the good. and then there is something else in the music. Something intangible, that takes the music to a higher level. I did not get that feeling with this recording. My theory is that this intangible "something" is gained by the improved chemistry of any group that have playing together for a while to really understand each other's tendencies and instincts. I did not get that vibe with this group, and an example of is on the Blue Room in Mama's Womb track. It seemed like the other rhythm section's energy was much lower than the leader's, or the leader was trying too hard. But, I know that if this group stays together long enough, there will be some Great recording coming out of their arsenal.
I also am particular on the final mixdown. There was a track where the drummer was going nuts on a solo ( A reason, a Season, a lifetime), and I didn't quite realized this until I increased the volume. It did take away from that track for me.
So this recording gets 3 1/2 to 4 stars, because of the reasons stated above. But, do not let my opinions stop you from getting this recording. It is a very good recording, and definitely a group to keep an ear out for."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
