EVOLUTION OF JAZZRAPTOR

It is always useful to read press releases, especially when the CD in question is by an unknown artist. I hadn't heard of Jack Foster, but when I saw the names of Trent Gardner and Robert Berry then I put the CD into the player and started to take notice. Trent produced this debut album, and is of course most well-known for Magellan. The album was recorded at Robert Berry's (Three) studio and like Trent he couldn't stop himself from getting involved in most of the tracks in some way or another. This is an album that while it will appeal to many prog fans will also probably put quite a few of them off, because it actually progresses.

Jack feels that music shouldn't be pigeonholed and decides to cover many bases from jazz and blues right though to more normally recognised forms of prog through to some hard rock. Of course, with Trent involved there is always the room for a trombone or two. He has a voice that is perfectly suited to blues, fairly low but with loads of emotion a la Coverdale, and this gives his songs a distinct sound. There is plenty of space, as Jack lets the songs breathe. A particular favourite is "Feel It When I Sting" where he moves through different musical styles in a way that shows that he is home in all of them. There is only one real epic, "Nirvana In The Notes", which at 14 minutes long has everything going for it, including an extremely delicate piano introduction. This was originally independently released in the States until it was picked up by Musea, and I am sure that this is not the last we have heard of Mr Foster III.

Originally appeared in Feedback #79, June 2004