A pivotal
album inspired by a pivotal, life-changing experience, “Game On” is the apropos
title of Kenyon Carter’s forthcoming album, a ten-song
set of originals that the saxophonist wrote and produced in this “Go for it!”
moment in his career. Due August 14, his third disc knocks it out of the park
with an MVP assist from guitar great Chuck Loeb (Fourplay), a contemporary jazz
heavyweight who trades ferocious licks with Carter’s spirited tenor horn.
There’s a sense of urgency to the cut that can be directly attributed to an
incident in Carter’s not too distant past that informs everything the
Atlanta-based artist does in life and career.
Carter’s arm
was mangled in a car crash resulting in severe radial nerve damage. Doctors
didn’t know if the appendage would ever function normally again thus putting
the musician’s career choice in peril. Undeterred, Carter utilized a
specially-designed therapy glove, spending countless hours daily for eight
months trying to relearn how to play sax. Since he couldn’t perform at the
time, he taught others to play and in time, with hard work, full use of the arm
returned. Realizing how close he was to losing his dream, Carter recommitted
himself towards achieving his career goals in music.
Earlier
albums introduced Carter to the masses, charted and collected national airplay.
The third album seemed like a milestone thus Carter focused on elevating his
game feeling like the time to breakthrough in a big way is now. Hitting full stride
artistically, he ably demonstrates his proficiency as a player on tenor,
soprano and baritone sax while constructing layers of rhythmic grooves that
buttress sweet melodies and lush harmonies. Whether serenely serenading,
dexterously exploring the outer limits on a meandering run or uncorking fiery
wails as if his life depended upon it, Carter’s saxplay serves in the best
interest of the ensnaring melodies and gripping rhythms without overstepping or
over dramatizing.
While the
record was being recorded, Carter issued a single to radio to stir up an
appetite for the full session. The head-bopping funkster “Jammin’ On Jupiter”
was one of the most added singles on the Billboard chart in its debut week. The
title track opens the proceedings and is the second single heading to radio
ahead of the album’s street date. Starting coyly, a knowing glance breaks into
the charming “Just A Smile.” The heart-tugging “Going Home” is warmly moving
and beautiful amidst a stripped down acoustic setting. “Sea Of Abaco” floats
upon a soothing soprano sax wave of tranquility. The album was recorded using
Carter’s well-rehearsed live band, who challenge with complex time changes and
a brisk vacillating pace on “Moving Forward,” a number that the
soprano-yielding Carter describes as navigating “a bridge between
straight-ahead and contemporary jazz.” Cool jazz illuminates “Wine On Eight,” a
seductive happy hour social invitation while the mellow vibes continue on
“Lights Down Low.” Intimacy pervades the poignant “In This Moment” before
Carter & Company close the album with the rousing “Here We Go,” concluding
with some of the saxman’s most feverish play on the recording.
Carter has a
pair of Atlanta-area album launch concert dates booked for mid-August (Aug. 15
at Marietta Jazz & Jokes at Historic Marietta Square and Aug. 22 in
Alpharetta at The Velvet Note) to help parlay the hometown momentum into
national prominence.
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