File Under (26-08-16)

Nederlands Jazz ArchiefEnglish:Saxophonist Susanne Alt hails from Germany but has long been a part of our jazz scene. Royalty For Real has the aura of a prestigious product. It is also a tribute to the late trumpeter Roy Hargrove. Hargrove was fond of participating in the after-hours sessions at North Sea Jazz; Alt occasionally played alongside him there – hence Bel Air Bop, one of the seven tracks. The saxophonist/flutist wrote five of the tracks herself, in addition to The Nearness of You and Roy Allan by Hargrove. The album was recorded in February 2022 in New York with pianist James Hurt, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Willie Jones III. - Thanks File Under for this nice review! Read the original text hereEnglish:With a little bit of fear I insert the cd into the cd drawer. “Saxify” doesn’t sound promising. I have to think of Candy Dulfer, who’s career took off in 1990 with her album “Saxuality”. Anyway, it should be obvious that on Alt’s album - it turns out to be her real name - the saxophone has a leading role. The German is operating from Amsterdam, has been building her career since 2004 and performing along many artists.When I hear the first tone it’s like I am entering a party and it’s not clear yet who has the main role.The funk influences of Prince and George Clinton are very present and not at all boring. On “Saxify” musicians like Fred Wesley (James Brown, George Clinton), Scott Mayo (Earth, Wind & Fire) play, but also members of Gotcha! and Tower of Power. Very fine. Fortunately Alt doesn’t fall into the trap of adoring them too much but knows how to fit the musicians into her own sound. The second track, also title track, she puts herself in a central role and doesn’t let go anymore. The line up is different on every track- except for the lady on the sax - including vocals, but sounds like a whole, it’s one big party on stage and the changeovers are self-explanitory. File under: Funky as hell