Tia Fuller's fourth CD (and third for Mack Avenue) is a diverse affair, with a top-drawer supporting group (keyboardist Shamie Royston, bassist Mimi Jones, and drummer Rudy Royston) and several guests. The focus is primarily on the leader's originals, starting with the diverse post-bop vehicle "Royston Rumble" that showcases Fuller's explosive, often gritty alto, guest John Patitucci's bubbling electric bass, and drummer Rudy Royston's fiery closing break. "Ralphie's Groove" proves immediately infectious with its soulful theme, while Fuller's dramatic "Angelic Warrior" showcases her considerable chops on soprano sax in dramatic fashion, with Terri Lynne Carrington taking over on drums. "Tailor Made" mixes contemporary flavor and R&B in a spirited manner. Guest vocalist Dianne Reeves' sincere performance in "Body And Soul" is somewhat handicapped by the funky backbeat and bland backdrop scored by Fuller. Other standards fare better, including interweaves of two Cole Porter favorites, "So In Love" and "All Of You," the first introduced with a staccato unison line by alto and bass (with Patitucci taking over on acoustic bass), with Carrington again on drums. "Cherokee" is far from the usual bop interpretation, with Royston's distorted Fender Rhodes providing an unusual springboard behind the leader's high-powered alto sax. The future of jazz is safe with contributions from rising stars like Tia Fuller. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.
Mack Avenue, MAC 1068, 2012
Recorded at Brooklyn
Recording, Brooklyn, New York
Musicians:
Tia Fuller - Alto &
Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Arranger
Shamie Royston - Piano,
Fender Rhodes
Mimi Jones - Acoustic Bass
Rudy Royston - Drums
Guests:
John Patitucci -
Electric/Piccolo Bass (#1,2,4,6,9), Acoustic Bas (#8)
Terri Lynne Carrington -
Drums (#3,8,12)
Shirazette Tinnin -
Percussion (#2,6,9)
Dianne Reeves - Vocals (#5)
Tracks:
01. Royston Rumble {Tia
Fuller} (6:26)
02. Ralphie's Groove {Tia
Fuller} (6:34)
03. Angelic Warrior {Tia
Fuller} (5:55)
04. Lil Les {Tia Fuller}
(5:43)
05. Body And Soul {Eyton,
Green, Heyman, Sour} (7:00)
06. Descend To Barbados{Tia
Fuller} (5:01)
07. Ode To Be [Interlude]
{Tia Fuller} (1:01)
08. So In Love / All Of You
{Cole Porter} (5:48)
09. Tailor Made {Tia Fuller}
(7:14)
10. Core Of Me {Tia Fuller}
(2:31)
11. Simpli-City {Tia Fuller}
(5:59)
12. Cherokee {Ray Noble}
(3:47)
13. Ode To Be [Outro] {Tia
Fuller} (1:37)
Total Time: 64:41
Credits:
Producer - Tia Fuller, Al
Pryor
Executive Producer - Gretchen
Valade
Producer, Management - Brian
McKenna
Engineer - Todd Whitelock,
Damon Whittemore
Assistant Engineer - Trevor
Fedele, Don Piper
Mastering Engineer - Mark
Wilder
Art Direction, Design - Raj
Naik
Photography - Keith Major
