marooned by Sandy Foster

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Edmonton’s own Sandy Foster is back with her third album, once again delivering tonnes of jazzy soul and warmth to her eager audience. The independently released Marooned is a wonderful medium for Foster to express her joie de vivre as well as her loneliness and sadness. What’s so great is that she reaches both ends of the emotional spectrum with as much ease and as much conviction. She’s got great control of her friendly, soul-filled voice, which she generally keeps pretty toned down and laid back. Her choice of music is fairly eclectic, ranging from classic standards to some mighty decent originals. But each number here works beautifully with her vocal range.

I tend to prefer her more up-tempo numbers â€" the boppy, little ditties that her fans enjoy so much. Topping my list is the snazzy T’Ain’t What You Do, a fun, swingy little swinging bopper with a heavy bass line, courtesy of Glenn Durksen. Cranberry Jazz, another fun toe-tapper, puts piano man Matt Day in the spotlight â€" which he grabs right onto during an excellent twinkly break. Next comes Do I Worry About You, which starts off as a slow, quiet piano piece but then jumps into a lively, kicking song accentuated by a smokin’ guitar solo by Wes Yaciuk. And of course, there’s the attitude-filled, finger-snapper It All Falls On You, again featuring some fine piano work.

You Speak also got my attention through its breezy, fun atmosphere, created in part by some exceptional flute work by drummer Kevin Andrews. That same joyful feel (complete with flute) is also found on the title track, Marooned. It also features a nice flamenco-styled flare.

Rounding out my favourites is Quiet Night on Quiet Stars, which is also fairly breezy and which also features some mighty fine key work. This time, though, Foster’s voice is quite plaintive. Also worthy of mention is Meet Me Here, performed as a duet with the incomparable, smooth-voiced jazz master Dave Babcock, who also throws in some nifty soprano sax.

Those who enjoy jazz vocal albums should not be disappointed by this nice little gem.

August 5, 2005 Kelowna Capital News - Bruce Mitchell

This is Canadian jazz singer and composer Sandy Foster’s third album. Her previous release featured several original songs as well as some well chosen covers that all helped her receive several VIBE and SHAI award nominations for Best Jazz/Blues Album of The Year.

Foster has an earthy yet crystalline voice and a superb backing combo that boasts three fine economical solists for piano, flute and guitar. Foster usually has a deep spiritual content with her personal songs where she strives to keep this jazz-pop “transparent, authentic and warm”. She finds profundities in common place events such as on You speak, and the ballad Play a Song for You.

But like Foster, I too am a total sucker for Antonio Carlos Jobim and her restive take of Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars is worth the price of admission alone.

August 12, 2005 MONCTON TIMES & TRANSCRIPT - Eric Lewis

Sandy Foster (Marooned) (ïïï 1/2)

Eric Lewis, Life & Times Reporter Times & Transcript, Moncton, N.B.

Sandy Foster’s warm, inviting jazz makes for one of the coolest listens I’ve heard in a while. Her easy-going, seemingly effortless vocals are the real treat here, but it’s backed up by some awesome swing and jazz music on tracks like “T’Ain’t What You Do”, “Marooned”, “Cranberry Jazz” and “Subject To The Whether”. Her duet with Dave Babcock on “Meet Me Here” is one of the highlights on this disc, with both singers sounding smooth and confident singing to each other. She’s not doing much of anything out of the ordinary, but it’s gentle, warm and simply fun. I love the fact that Foster included liner notes with her thoughts on each song and what they mean to her. It really puts it in perspective for you. If you’re a jazz afficianado, you’d be remiss to not check out Ms. Foster.

October 6, 2005 Marooned Review

Colin Lynch - October 06 2005 www.rcat.ca

Sandy Foster has remarked 'Life is too short to be marooned'. The fact that we can all be ostracized into oblivion and segregated from relationships by the busyness of our lives is part of the main thinking behind the title track but this is an album that is everything BUT marooned. It is the consequence of being gifted vocally, musically, and creatively and Sandy Foster IS remarkably and irretrievably gifted! I'd like you to relax for a moment..and take in what I am telling you... you are about to read a review of one of the most remarkable albums ever to have been born in Canada... reading takes patience... listening takes you on a heart and soul meandering journey... in the company of Sandy Foster!

T'aint what you do opens this remarkable album and the first thing that happens is a case of shock. That semi-acoustic guitar and finger glided piano compliments Sandy's jazzy vocal to a tee and you're wondering how it is that the girl isn't a guest on just about everyone's favourite jazz presentation around the world. Move over girls... Sandy's on the airstrip about to take off on a much anticipated world tour!

When we get to the amazing songwriting epitaph that's Marooned we are treated to a rather extraordinary writing talent that could never be pushed aside. The song opens with some lovely upright bass and Sandy's vocals are complimented with an equally lovely flute that's both skillfully conceived and skillfully played. What's particularly striking about this song is the cleverness in the lyrical emphasis that Sandy delivers. You see, not many jazz singers can get away with this without being called 'great' jazz singers... and Sandy is one of the 'greats'. As if this wasn't enough of a testimony to Sandy Foster's remarkable vocal, then Play a song for you will almost certainly do the trick! The delightfully candlelit opening mood is challenged by the vocal prowess that keeps you mesmerized.. what a girl! Insatiably appetizing piano and emotion driven vocals make this magnificent song shine and I would absolutely LOVE to see these guys live... come to think of it... they're only a few hours away and so I'll get that sorted for sure!

Do I worry about you? With inspiration sprung forth on a plane trip... this song is an absolute classic of the highest magnitude ... beautiful vocals... astonishing bass playing and drum, guitar, and piano work that deserves an award for just being brilliantly executed.. it's all here in abundance. Then there's the song itself... I mean... wouldn't you love to have been responsible for writing these lyrics??? Of course you would!

Thankful Well I'm thankful that I have the pleasure of writing this review and oh dear me what a pleasure this song is! I could swear there's a hitherto unexplored part of our imagination that has wings and an undercarriage! This song took me flying all over the place and there wasn't a hint of engines or fuel... it all happens on the beautiful vibrato and sustain that Sandy Foster has acquired, developed, and so obviously mastered! Keep your eye out for those lovely piano and bass inserts... a little jazz tapestry got wove in the composition here and it's as colourful and as vibrant as any jazz tapestry you could ever hope to find!

This is the bit where the breeze of writer's anxiety comes... you see, to get into writing a review 'properly' you have to listen to the album about three times... you have to try very hard to engage the performer's world and provide a bridge to the world of the intended audience. The thing is.. three times is NOT enough... it would not be just... it would not be fair! However, on first listening.. You speak surpasses everything you ever expected to be made possible in female vocalized jazz! On third play... you are skillfully observant and it's great when you realize that your thoughts and perceptions were very much confirmed on first listening. You speak is a work of absolute class! Electrifyingly beautiful singing, and undeniably brilliant musicianship is what this track really is... it's ok.. you go on now and play it however many times you like... and you will!

Cranberry jazz opens with a nice tight intro that leads into another of Sandy's songs that makes me wish she lived next door... then I could say 'How the %^&* did you manage to sing like that?!!!". I haven't tapped my toes this much in ages! Watchout for the superb guitar solo that makes you want to rush out and buy a dead expensive Gibson semi or whatever it is that can have you make numerous attempts at learning the delightful riffs. A superb song... very New York Jazz... very Sandy Foster!

Meet me here is perhaps one of the best things that happened to me this year after pressing the play button! The magic in Sandy Foster's voice continues to enthrall and the lyrics are so well crafted and THEN Dave Babcock arrives and you almost want to dwindle into nothingness as his incredible vocal sends your sense up the wall, around the floor, and behind the radiators with sheer disbelief! The production must have been an absolute joy to work on and who knows what was going through the minds between the headphones during the mixdown!

It all falls on me has little touches of some of the greatest jazz singers in the world all in one mouth... I guess it really does all fall on Sandy Foster! Piano work on this track is magnificent... but then the band have coped with the enormity of their skills and tasks so well throughout this entire album that it leaves you in a state of complete and utter wonderment! What a band... what a track!

Subject to the whether is such a clever song with it's metaphoricalisms. I have to say it again... wouldn't you love to have been responsible for writing this song? AND wouldn't you love to have a voice like that! Careful attention should be paid here to what happens between the vocal parts and the guitar and piano parts.. it's almost like the instruments, including the vocal, were born on the same day, at the same time, to the same mother! Mention should also be made in referencing the bass and drums also.. you see any bass player will tell you that 'working out' with a drummer requires an attention to detail that takes time to master. These guys have long since passed the point of no return and, like the guitar and piano -players, have truly mastered their craft to the 'nth degree!

Quiet nights of quiet stars . Now it gets a bit sad knowing that this is the last track on the album... when the joy has unfolded to where it's at! It's a very dreamy jazz song that's performed and produced to the kind of standard you'd expect to line up for to witness at the Royal Albert Hall. Again, we have a completely professional package to unwrap when listening to this song and it's all contained in the instruments and the voice that were naturally put together to astonish the ears and the heart!

All the great Canadian jazz players and singers in this genre should take note of what exactly has been accomplished here... pure unadulterated brilliance in performance, in composition, and in production. The rest of the world needs to simply applaud and give the girl a standing ovation for a job well done!

October 12, 2005 Sandy Foster - Marooned (2005)

Scott D. Brown, www.fullspectrumottawa.com

Sandy Foster can be considered among the greats of modern Canadian jazz vocalists standing beside the likes of Holly Cole, Diane Krall and Molly Johnson even if her talents are just beginning to receive recognition. Not just a voice (and a gorgeous one at that), Sandy composes and writes all of her own music. Marooned contains 11 songs of which nine are originals and except for a collaborative effort on, "Meet Me Here" all were written and composed by Sandy herself.

This is Sandy's third CD (following Purplexed (2003) and Orangify (2004)) and she seems to be on the cusp of star-recognition for her hard work. Highlights of the CD include a beautiful rendition of the Sly Oliver/James Young song, "T'Ain't What You Do," a song about facing loss, "Thankful," and a foray into pop sensibilities with "Cranberry Jazz." The latter song begs the question of whether Sandy was listening to a Connie Kalder album at the time she was inspired to pen it to paper as the make-up of and the ending lyrical surprise has the humour of Kalder written all over it.

Sandy ends the CD with another striking cover. "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," a song by Antonio Carlos Jacobs and Gene Lees, is approached with smooth vocals and is a fitting outro to an album that begs for CD player time during those restful hours of quiet contemplation.

CD REVIEW: Sandy Foster - Marooned

By Francesco Emmanuel - 10/29/05 - 12:39 PM EST The Muse's Muse

Marooned is Sandy Foster's third studio album, released June 2005. The last three years has seen the dawn of this latest Edmonton Jazz crooner. Sandy debuted Perplexed, January 2003 which was nominated for Jazz/Blues album of the year (VIBE Awards 2004), her sophomore effort, Orangify was nominated for Jazz/Blues Album (SHAI Awards 2005). From the sound of things, Sandy's music can never be marooned on anyone's shelf for long, it might be a permanent fixture in your CD player though.

Soft, standard jazz formats are accompanied by piano, guitar, upright bass, flute, drums and soprano sax. There are a few slow-paced, comtemplatative piano numbers, along with a couple of swing tunes, there's also three mambo/latin-flavoured pieces. The album opener, 'T'aint what you do,' written by Sly Oliver and James Young, just has that jiving, groovy, finger snapping, feet clicking kinda feeling. The title track that follows suit shuffles along in a mambo vein, Sandy does a great job of adding vocals ever so elegantly. 'Play a song for you, ' a beautiful prayer-like tune for all the children in this world, pauses now and then for Sandy to offer up her musical thoughts.

Her mid-range vocal style has a tone similar to that of Sade and

Norah Jones; soothing, calming the listener (it certainly calmed me!) The duo 'Meet me there' where she's accompanied by vocalist/saxophonist Dave Babcock is laid-back and

sultry. Dave's deep croon allows Sandy's voice to take on a different shape entirely, rather than crowding her out with his vocals and sax playing, the entire song has just enough breathing space to allow all three melody lines to exist interdependantly.

In fact, no instrument overpowers each other, but rather works cohesively to produce this well crafted, subtle jazz piece of art. What is derived here, is the level of maturity each musician brings to the table. It is said that we are only as good as the people we associate ourselves with, in this case, Sandy has just the right talent behind her voice.

Each song has it's own story, which Sandy briefly reveals in the liner notes of the CD jacket. She gives the listener a look into her world, both musically and lyrically.

She is a jazz singer/songwriter, telling tales of her life, her family, her loved ones, joys and sorrows. It is for that matter a rather personal, heartfelt album. It is an album about the very existence of our humanity. It is a positive record of hope.

Sandy draws listeners into her world, but yet tells it in such a way that anyone can relate to her songs. With three albums under her belt, and with critical recognition for her work to date, Sandy's Marooned truly is a lovely, well written and produced, standard jazz album.

75 WORD BIO

Sandy Foster, songwriter/vocalist, features a rare blend of soul-drenched eclectic jazz. Vintage vocals are woven into warm classics and fresh originals. With three releases in three years (Purplexed in 2003, Orangify in 2004, and Marooned in 2005) featuring over 30 originals, listeners can expect seasoned, smooth, sensitive vocals reminiscent of the classics, unexpected arrangements, thought-provoking original compositions, tasteful standards and heartfelt delivery. Instrumentation varies from solo (vocals/keyboard) to quartet format. Surprising and rare, something for everyone.

2005 Highlights

Orangify nominated in 2005 Western Canadian Music Awards for Outstanding Christian Record of the Year

Marooned Charts in the Top Ten Jazz June - Sept 2005

Marooned Airplay includes over 33 stations nationally

Marooned Released at Planet Ze - June 11th, 2005

Rawlco Radio Ltd. Chooses Sandy Foster as one of its 10K20 grant recipients.

Two tracks from orangify chosen for 2005 International Compilation CD by Bolero Records

Sandy Foster included on Denmark's Frans Music Agency roster

Orangify nominated for 2005 SHAI Awards Jazz/Blues Album of the Year

No Words For This (from orangify 2004) wins placement in song writing contest

RELEASES

purplexed (Jan 2003) A collection of 10 originals and 2 standards ranging in style from swing to blues to ballad to Latin. Smooth, sweet and a hit with all. Nominated for Jazz/Blues Album of the Year (VIBE Awards 2004).

orangify (Aug 2004) Warm as sunshine; this energetic assortment of 14 originals and one standard cuts an even wider swath of styles than purplexed. From swing to reggae to blues to ballad to Latin to pop and back again with consistently clear, smooth vocals, thought provoking lyrics and soul satisfying delivery. Nominated for Jazz/Blues Album of the Year (SHAI Awards 2005). Nominated for Outstanding Christian Record of the Year(Western Canadian Music Awards 2005)

marooned (June 2005) Metaphorical, momentous, and mesmerizing, this CD merges vintage vocals, noteworthy originals, classic standards and accomplished instrumentals into a collection that may prove to be a landmark recording. Recorded live in studio, this album has a romantic presence that creates an intimate atmosphere, perfect for both inspiration and relaxation.

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