Musicmaker 05-2016

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. - Sometimes you get a review like this. Actually this is the only a bit grumpy one out of 17 so far. The writer's musical influences, references and preferences are clearly not mine. Also, it's a pity that he didn't read the booklet thoroughly because I am credited for co-writing lyrics of 3 songs...BUT: Thanks Musicmaker for paying attention to my release anyway! And thanks for spelling my name correctly.English:The only thing Susanne Alt didn’t write and arrange were the lyrics (note management: Susanne co-wrote lyrics of 3 songs). Title, cover, music, lady with sax: Everything makes on think of Candy Dulfer. Above all, it’s a shame that Susanne’s excellent sax and flute playing often drowns in this funky music. The line-up with lots of choirs, rappers, synths and heavy bass are too exuberant. The most eye-catching of the more than 30 guests is trombonist Fred Wesley, known from James Brown, George Clinton, Maceo Parker. Well done, but what sounds like a party is above all a relay of excess. The compositions, availabe on vinyl and cd, are quite long and don’t captivate one until the end. This music probably will be better appreciated live rather than on record, just like Tower Of Power is at its best live. (Bram de Visser)