Bill Fulton Time Album

The Bill Fulton Time album is a collection of ten original compositions written, arranged, orchestrated and produced by Bill Fulton. Released by Rhombus Records, the recording marked Fulton’s emergence as a solo recording artist after approximately two decades of composing, arranging, performing and producing music for commercial, film and television projects.

For Fulton, Time represented an opportunity to create music without the requirements of a client, television program or film. As he explained in the original CD notes, the album had been a long time coming. His commercial career had provided the opportunity to finally make an album devoted entirely to his own music and musical ideas.

As a result, Time explores several sides of Fulton’s writing and playing. Contemporary jazz and jazz fusion form the foundation. However, elements of funk, Latin music, gospel and other influences also appear throughout the recording.

Writing, Arranging and Production

Bill Fulton wrote, arranged, orchestrated and produced all ten compositions on Time. In addition, he performs piano, keyboards and synthesizer on the album. His performances range from acoustic piano to synthesizer solos and layered keyboard textures.

Fulton also handled much of the technical work behind the recording. Tracks 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10 were recorded by Fulton at Bill Fulton Music Production Services in Sherman Oaks, California. Curt Piar recorded tracks 2 and 4 at Proving Ground Studios in Simi Valley in 1997. Meanwhile, Dan Blessinger recorded tracks 5, 7 and 9 at Martinsound in Alhambra, California.

Fulton mixed every track at Bill Fulton Music Production Services in Sherman Oaks. Paul Tavenner mastered the completed album at Man Alive Music Productions in Studio City.

Time Track List

The Land That Time Forgot – 4:44
Maple St – 4:14
Cow Poetry – 4:04
Secrets – 4:59
Anthem – 3:08
Time Squared – 4:46
New Religion – 7:51
The Force – 4:16
In Your Dreams – 7:43
Time & Space – 5:00

The compositions range from compact ensemble pieces to extended works approaching eight minutes. Consequently, the album gives the musicians room for both tightly arranged ensemble writing and featured improvisation.

Musicians on Time

The album features a group of Los Angeles musicians including Jason Harnell and Kendall Kay on drums; Adam Cohen, David Enos and Kevin Axt on bass; Lee Thornburg, Mike McGuffey and Carl Saunders on trumpet and flugelhorn; and Brian Scanlon, Mike Nelson, Fred Horn and Tom Buckner on saxophones.

Several tracks also feature designated soloists. Brian Scanlon plays the tenor saxophone solo on “The Land That Time Forgot” and the alto saxophone solo on “Time Squared.” Tom Buckner contributes soprano saxophone solos to “Maple St” and “Secrets.” In addition, Mike Nelson takes the tenor saxophone solo on “The Force,” while Carl Saunders performs the flugelhorn solo on “In Your Dreams.”

Fulton’s own instrumental role changes with the music. He plays keyboards on “The Land That Time Forgot,” “Maple St” and “Secrets.” He performs keyboards and synthesizer solos on “Cow Poetry,” “Time Squared,” “The Force” and “Time & Space.” By contrast, “Anthem,” “New Religion” and “In Your Dreams” feature Fulton on piano.

From Time to the Bill Fulton Band

The music eventually moved beyond the recording studio. Fulton created the Bill Fulton Band as a vehicle for performing music from Time live. The ensemble expanded the album’s contemporary jazz and fusion approach into an eight-piece band and later performed at Los Angeles jazz clubs and festivals.

The album also received national radio exposure following its release. In addition, several compositions from Time continued to appear in Fulton’s later performances and musical projects.

Critical Response

Time also received attention from the jazz press. All About Jazz published a review of the album in 2003. Reviewer Todd S. Jenkins highlighted the arrangements, ensemble performances, production and use of keyboard textures.

The album remains listed by Rhombus Records, which describes the recording as Fulton’s first effort as a solo artist and notes its combination of jazz, fusion, Latin and gospel influences.

Album Artwork and Photography

The visual concept for Time also connects past and present. The cover compares views of Lankershim Boulevard and Weddington Street in North Hollywood from two different periods. The historical photograph, dating from the 1920s, came from the Los Angeles Public Library photo collection. Fred Horn photographed the same location looking north in July 2001 and also created Fulton’s portrait for the package.

Bill Fulton and Alisha Pitts received graphic design credit for the album.

Listen to Bill Fulton – Time

All ten tracks from Time can also be heard in the Bill Fulton audio portfolio. For a broader overview of Fulton’s recordings as composer, arranger, keyboardist and producer, visit the Bill Fulton discography and album credits.

Time was published by Fulltone Music (BMI). The album documents an important point in Fulton’s career: after years of creating music for other projects, he assembled a group of Los Angeles musicians and produced a recording devoted entirely to his own original compositions.

Year: 2002
Role: producer, composer, arranger, keyboardist, engineer
Album: Time
Title: The Land Time Forgot, Maple Street, Cow Poetry, Secrets, Anthem, Time Squared, New Religion, The Force, In Your Dreams, Time And Space
Artist: Bill Fulton
Release label: Rhombus Records
Purchase links: Bill Fulton Music, Amazon, iTunes, CD Universe

Bill Fulton producer, composer, arranger, keyboardist, engineer – “Time”