Forever Dynamic
Getdown, 2026
9/10
The Bay Area legend, Faye Carol, treats us to 20 songs of jazz, blues, funk R&B and gospel influences across these 2 discs.
The animated “Hello Young Lovers” opens with Joe Warner’s bright keys that suit Carol’s soulful pipes, and it isn’t long until “The Joint Is Jumpin’” showcases Dennis Chambers’ thumping drums, as Carol mixes talking and singing via the infectious energy.
Disc 1 ends with the frisky bass plucking from Tarus Mateen, which builds into the melodic and flowing climate of “Nature Boy”, while Disc 2 leads with “Hallelujah I Love Him So”, which is a quick and lively jazz rocker that benefits from colorful keys, crisp drums and Carol’s inimitable voice.
Deeper into the back half, “Hard Times Won’t Last” makes great use of the precise rhythm section amid the powerful singing, and “I Rise, I Rise, Still I Rise” carries a loose demeanor that radiates a spontaneous presence thanks to Maya Angelou’s prose.
This is Carol’s 10th album, and it retains her Mississippi roots with incredible diversity from track to track that illuminates a talent which has endured for decades, and will always be relevant.
Travels well with: Betty Bryant- nothin’ better to do…; Deborah Shulman- We Had A Moment