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. ~ Ken Dryden