The Holy City Sessions
Slimtrim, 2023
9/10
Listen to The Holy City Sessions
The guitarist and composer Tim Fischer returns with a 3rd album as leader, where he’s joined by Randy Napoleon, Brett Belanger, Quentin E. Baxter and Eric Schoor for 10 songs dedicated to Charleston, South Carolina.
“Morning Buns” opens the listen with Belander’s playful bass lines alongside Fischer’s spirited and warm guitar in the crisp jazz climate, and “Nite Time Slippers” follows with Baxter’s skilled drumming interacting with Napoleon’s meticulous guitar for the radiant energy.
At the halfway point, “Next Stop” swings with a charming appeal that benefits much from meticulous guitar progressions that touch on the blues, while “What Is This Thing Called Love” is a scrappy and dreamy album highlight that’s melodic and infectious.
Residing near the end, “Cyclic Journey” shakes and bounces thanks to Schoor’s tenor sax prowess that complements the dynamic rhythm section, and “Low Country Boil” exits the listen with a jazz/blues hybrid that’s upbeat and aglow in timeless jazz qualities that will always be relevant.
A listen that alternates between balladry and modern, swinging bursts, the grooves, melodies and rhythm present are executed flawlessly. Truly, an amazing record.
Travels well with: Randy Napoleon- Puppets: The Music Of Gregg Hill; Hal Galper Trio- Invitation To Openness