Scott Yanow in LA Jazz Scene (October 2007)

During the past few years, arranger-conductor David Berger has been leading one of the top Duke Ellington-inspired swing orchestras in New York, the Sultans Of Swing. Since 2006, Champian Fulton has been the band’s regular vocalist and she is
showcased throughout this winning CD.

Ms. Fulton has a warm voice, an easy swing style and an understanding of the lyrics she is interpreting. She also plays piano, and doubles in that capacity on “You Turned The Tables On Me” and the brief “Never-the-Less.” Her phrasing works well
with this music and the arrangements are perfectly attuned to her voice. Hopefully in the future Champian Fulton (who sometimes hints at early Billie Holiday) will take more chances in her improvising, but this is a solid start.

While the 15-piece orchestra is mostly cast in a supportive role, there is room for many short solos in Berger’s arrangements. Such obscurities as “I Didn’t Mean A Word I Said” and “He Ain’t Got Rhythm” are revived and even the more well-known
standards (such as “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” which has a vocal trio backing the singer and a surprisingly cooking version of “They Didn’t Believe Me”) sound brand new.

David Berger’s arrangements, which are creative within the swing style, make the Sultans Of Swing sound like a high-quality band of the 1930s and ‘40s, with hints of 1950s Count Basie. Swing fans will definitely want this set and will enjoy discovering
Champian Fulton.