I anticipated losing listening time due to a glorious life event. The complete shift in my taste of music was unexpected. Even assuming I had the time, the prospect of auditioning new releases by personal favorites Bruiser Wolf, Elucid, Kim Gordon, Lamb of God and Bill Orcutt holds no appeal.
The latest from Champian Fulton, however, is precisely what works for me in this magical moment. I’ve long appreciated the Oklahoma native’s throwback jazz, but readers of Plastic Sax and There Stands the Glass know I prefer dirty, gritty and noisy forms of jazz.
Fulton shares the spotlight with notable vocalists including Carmen Bradford and Jane Monheit on Flying High: Still Soaring, A Tribute to the Voices That Taught the World to Swing. The album is free of the experimental edginess I ordinarily relish. For the time being, I want nothing but the sort of frictionless flight provided by Fulton and her friends.