Maxazine 28-03-16

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 Maxazine!English:Although Amsterdam saxophonist Susanne Alt is a versatile musician, many fans and music lovers know her as a messenger of funk. That's indeed very obvious on her fantastic new album Saxify.Susanne Alt's sixth album, released on vinyl and in limited edition also on cd contains 12 smoking and cooking tracks, steamy!The horns of Alt and her colleagues crackle, swell and push, combined with the rhythmical staccato of drums, bass and rhythm guitar. Alt's playing is variable; rousing, lyrical and deep. She's got a convincing feeling for writing catchy melodies and sophisticated arrangements. It's striking how Alt literally illustrates where she gets her inspiration from: a battery of special guests from source musician surroundings like James Brown and George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic add extra distinction to Alt's songs. There are constributions by Fred Wesley, Michael Hampton, Bruno Speight and Rodney Skeet Curtis, but also Roger Smith (Tower of Power) and Scott Mayo (Earth, Wind&Fire). From own soil a.o.: Hans Dulfer, Glenn Gaddum jr, Stefan Schmid (Zuco 103).Saxify has got a constant drive and only slows down in You and me and Angeldelic with splendid soprano sax parts by Alt and a brilliant guitar solo by Michael Hampton (Angeldelic). Different guest vocalists enrich the songs with soulful vocals, newcomer Lorrèn, Berenice van Leer and Mavis Acquah. Alt herself accounts for the well-succeded production. Saxify is a dazzling party in a nostalgic setting but sounds fresh and hip. After all, funk is timeless. A heck of an album by this saxy funk ambassador! (9/10)