1/1/03 5:50pm
Jim Santella, LA Jazz Scene
Contemporary jazz and a small band make great music when they’re given enough freedom to enjoy what’s going on. For his first solo recording session Bill Fulton composed all ten smooth songs and plays keyboard. He’s surrounded himself with the support of several strong performance units that include: saxophonist Tom Buckner, electric bassist Adam Cohen, drummer Kendall Kay, saxophonist Brian Scanlon, trumpeter Lee Thornburg, saxophonist Mike Nelson, and trumpeter Carl Saunders. Fulton’s perky spontaneity breathes fire into innovative pieces such as “Secrets” and “Time Squared.” Ballads such as “Anthem” and “In Your Dreams,” provide lyrical themes that remain consistently fresh. The album’s high point comes about through “New Religion” as Fulton applies his swinging piano magic to a timeless source of inspiration. It’s New Orleans and a gospel revival rolled into one basket. Fred Horn and Mike McGuffey join Fulton for this one on alto and trumpet respectively, while Scanlon returns for a soul-stirring romp. He, Saunders, and Fulton turn “In Your Dreams” into a lovely ideal of what can be accomplished when each of the artists feels this free to express.