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James Carter: Present Tense
ByAfter a string of concept albums, including the electric free-funk of Layin' In The Cut (Atlantic, 2000), an acoustic Django Reinhardt tribute, Chasin' The Gypsy (Atlantic, 2000), a string-laden homage to Billie Holiday, Gardenias For Lady Day (Columbia, 2003) and the recent ode to seminal indie rockers Pavement, Gold Sounds (Brown Brothers, 2005), Carter returns to more conventional territory on his Emarcy Records debut.
Carter demonstrates his diverse talents on an array of horns in a subtly varied program that is closer in spirit to his early DIW recordings than his recent thematic output. An accessible mix of ballads, blues, bop, swing and Latin tunes, the bulk of the session consists of obscure covers, with three pieces written by the leader.
Trumpeter Dwight Adams, pianist D.D. Jackson, bassist James Genus and drummer Victor Lewis make up the core quartet, with special guest appearances by guitarist Rodney Jones and percussionist Eli Fountain. Refraining from prolix testimonials, Carter keeps his statements short and concise, with ample solo room allotted for his sidemen.
Although he possesses a notorious penchant for showy pyrotechnics, Carter is a staunch traditionalist at heartthis session highlights his poetic side, largely avoiding histrionics. A nostalgic vibe permeates the session, further reinforcing Carter's tough but tender approach.
The album mixes up-tempo fare with languorous excursions, swinging from the first note with the brisk bop of Stanley Turrentine's "Rapid Shave." Adams and Jackson contribute pithy statements before Carter launches the tune into the stratosphere with a capricious baritone solo. Carter handles the big horn with imposing dexterity on Gigi Gryce's up-tempo cooker "Hymn of the Orient."
A dynamic vehicle for Carter's spasmodic bass clarinet, "Bro. Dolphy" pays homage to the great multi- instrumentalist Eric Dolphy, framing a solemn blues with blistering free-bop. Arriving from the opposite end of the instrumental spectrum, the relaxed bop of "Dodo's Bounce" displays Carter's deft flute skills.
Rich with effusive lyricism, the romantic soprano feature "Pour Que Ma Vie Demeure," cinematic bass clarinet meditation "Shadowy Sands" and opulent tenor-driven tango "Sussa Nita" offer lithe euphony.
Only "Song of Delilah" sounds out of place with its subtle hip-hop rhythmic inflections and overdubbed tenorhis chosen horn on the percussively buoyant "J.C. Bossa." "Tenderly" closes the album with an extended feature for the leader's supple baritone and Adams' Harmon-muted horn.
While by no means conceptually groundbreaking, Present Tense gracefully captures Carter's impressive abilities as a foremost interpreter of America's greatest art form.
Track Listing
Rapid Shave; Bro. Dolphy; Pour Que Ma Vie Demeure; Sussa Nita; Song of Delilah; Dodo's Bounce; Shadowy Sands; Hymn of the Orient; Bossa J.C.; Tenderly.
Personnel
James Carter
saxophone, tenorJames Carter: flute, bass clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax, baritone sax; Dwight Adams: trumpet-flugelhorn; D.D. Jackson: piano; James Genus: bass; Victor Lewis: drums; Rodney Jones: guitar; Eli Fountain: percussion.
Album information
Title: Present Tense | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Unknown label
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About James Carter
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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