Customer Reviews

Pocket City

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I pulled this cd out. For a brief moment I had to relive the pain of him not being with us anymore. What ever you can get your hands on by this man is worth the price their asking. An incredible talent, he could actually play two horns at once. The majority of his work was with Jeff Lorber whose name alone speaks for itself. The standouts here include the title Pocket City, Inside Myself, Passion Sunrise, LA and my all time favorite by Art KGB. A consistent performer, I also highly recommend Undercover and the tribute album For Art's Sake. He left us a wonderful legacy in the form of what he loved most. His signature runs have yet to be duplicated by anyone and that is as it should be.

Nearly fifteen years down the line and this CD still soumds good. This was the solo debut for Art Porter, who was the sax behind the sound of the fusion-smooth jazz band led by Jeff Lorber . Lorber is featured throughout as he engineered and produced the disc. Whether playing a blitzkrieg-attacking-boppish style as on the tile track "Pocket City" or the mellow-smooth-jazz style of "Inside Myself" Porter had the ability to be both funky and laid back. He was perfect for those who don't like their smooth jazz too smooth. He played both alto and soprano sax and his tone was reminiscent of another giant of pop jazz, Grover Wasington. Some of the finer tracks that show off his varied abilities are the aforementioned and "Passion Sunrise" where his sax produces the setting for the title,the Maxi Priest song "Close to You" that funks up the house and his Los Angeles inspired "L.A." that is like a sunset going down over the Pacific. Tragically Porter died in a boating accident while overseas for a jazz festival just four years after this debut album. He left behind some good music and you might start here or else his earlier work with The Jeff Lorber Fusion Group.

Porter brings the clarinet alive. He literally makes the instrument sing in a language that you can almost translate into english. This music is uplifting, haunting and almost hypnotic.

I have heard of Art Porter before, and have heard some of his music on my local jazz station. One day at work, I heard "Meltdown" (Track #10) on an Internet radio program and was absolutely blown away. I had to get this CD after hearing that track. Art Porter was (and still is) one of the greatest musicians that I have heard, and this CD is no exception to his fantastic work. Five stars, all the way.

I have been looking for this CD for a while. Just what I wanted in perfect condition.

It is so sad that Art Porter is no longer with us but fortunately we can still enjoy his great music. It is very smooth.