Standing Tall Archive

Ken Fowser, sax – Now Hear This – PosiTone

by Audiophile Audition | Feb 13, 2017 | Jazz CD Reviews

Keeping it real… Ken Fowser, sax – Now Hear This – PosiTone PR8163, 55:21 ****: (Ken Fowser – tenor sax; Josh Bruneau – trumpet/Flugelhorn; Rick Germanson – piano; Paul Gill – bass; Jason Tiemann – drums) Last year, when we reviewed Ken Fowser’s initial CD as band leader, (his previous issues for PosiTone shared the limelight with co-leader Behn Gillece) Standing Tall, (https://www.audaud.com/ken-fowser-standing-tall-posi-tone/) our conclusion was that Fowser was spot on in bringing hard bop fans a solid set of free wheeling jazz with a swagger. He once again shares the front line with trumpeter, Josh Bruneau, and their blend continues to impress. Once more, Fowser has written all the compositions, and there is a maturity and a polished sheen from the get-go. “Blast Off” does just that, and Fowser makes his solo choruses pop in an effortless manner that keeps your attention and swings mightily. When Bruneau joins in, it recalls the Blue Note issues when tenor and trumpet highlighted hard bop’s appeal throughout the late ‘50s into the late ‘60s. Its appeal remains intoxicating. That attraction demanded a strong piano presence, and Rick Germanson is back again to fill that bill ably. His sparkling lines provide the sound stage […]