Take me back
author: Brian Girley
In a time were it seems that music has become more about formulas than feel, sound rather than soul and everyday people often feel alienated from the music. Quamon boldly steps up to the plate with “Live and Uncut”. This album can best be described in three words: soulful, uplifting and accessible. Backed by a group of young talented musician, Quamon strongly declares that jazz (mainly swing) is not dead. With the virtuosic saxophone playing expected from a Monk finalist, Quamon dazzles the listener with lines similar to those of Sunny Rollins or John Coltrane. He is truly a mature jazz musician well beyond his years. My personal favorite track is “Blues @ Bohemian”. This track sums it all up for me, amazing saxophone playing combined with immense jazz vocabulary topped off with undeniable soul. Soul that stems from a tradition, heavily rooted in jazz. This is what makes this album accessible to not only jazz musicians but jazz lovers, this album is simply a must have. Enjoy, learn and listen to “Live and Uncut”
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My new favorite album
author: Justin
This is one of the most soulful and powerful albums I've heard in a long time. This band fuses their strong Bebop roots, with a contemporary R&B vibe. The band interaction is incredible. They groove like I've never heard before on Flowin' and Goin' Up Yonder, and then swing HARD on Blues @ Bohemian and Ask Me Now. It really is an extraordinary band, and they play very well together. I have honestly listened to this album almost exclusively over the last week. It's just SO soulful and organic. I highly recommend this album to everyone.
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FWISD Music Educator
author: B.J. Bell
" Anytime you hear a a musician live and up-close, the performance seems to be a bit more riveting than the actual CD. Musicians ideas flow freely live and their command of their instruments demonstrate this feat. Quamon Fowler's latest CD "Live and Uncut", takes you to a time of many great live LP's from the Hard Bop era, particularly Sonny Rollins 1957's dates at the Village Vanguard, and John Coltrane's year-long association with Thelonious Monk. Like his predecessors, Fowler's presence is felt from the opening Monk Tune "Ask Me Now". His melodic lines and gravitation around the saxophone gives you an essence of hearing the sounds of those greats as well as his own sound. This translates to other tunes as well, as the more dated Walter Hawkins tune "Goin' Up Yonder". He finds his own voice as well, as he and his rhythm section are very in-sync with one another and the band's own identity is known. "World's Last Stand" opens up the setting and each band member really complement one another. Fowler really takes off as he runs fresh idea after another. Their are no disappointments as Fowler and his band bring together one of the most exciting and upbeat live performances recorded to date. Personally, a fixture in any collection. "
B.J. Bell
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