Ed Blanco's Review on EJazzNews (April 2010)

Unleashing her third jazz album of her young career, New York-based pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton takes the jazz world by storm with a very breezy new recording that celebrates the lady's obvious talents as an artist. The daughter of trumpeter/educator Stephen Fulton, lady Fulton's jazz pedigree comes shinning through on this effort as her crisp honey-textured vocals and superb piano chops, serve to elevate the music here and separate this impressive project from the rest of the pack. Using the standard piano trio approach, Fulton draws on New York's vibrant jazz scene for her musical support enlisting the talents of first-call musicians, bassist Neal Miner and drummer Fukishi Tainaka for this session.


Another reason why this album is so good is the fine selection of music—all classic standard love songs—borrowed from musical giants such as Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin and of course Ernesto Lecuoma (the title track) just to name a few. There repertoire is rich with great beautiful songs—thirteen in all—and interpreted with gusto and a bit of swagger from Fulton. Starting out with one of Dorothy Field's signature compositions, “Exactly Like You,” brings out the best in Fulton—lush vocals and fine piano work. The vocalist continues her expressive assault thus time, on a spicy peppered rendition of the Bloom/Mercer standard “Day In, Day Out.”


Tainaka and Fulton share the limelight on “The Sheik of Araby” where the drummer's strong stick work is matched by the pianists own performance on the keys. Fulton turns on the charm on the Berlin ballad “Say It Isn't So” where her vocals pronounce the piece. In contrast, it is her terrific piano lines that mark her performance on the title track, “The Breeze and I.” The singing and music continues through a host of fine songs among them “I'm Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key,” “Easy to Love,” “I Can't Face the Music,” and “If I Had You,” to mention a few more.


If you favor jazzy love song, “The Breeze and I” is a must for your collection. Champian Fulton delivers a winner here not to be missed. Highly recommended for anyone who loves jazz and can appreciate its warmer side.