Climb - Reviews

- Alan Young ­ NY music reviewer

Ambitious, uncategorizable and absolutely fearless second album from this trumpet player to the stars . . .

Pam toured the world as part of the Burning Brass, the sizzling all-woman horn section that backed reggae legend Burning Spear on a couple of classic albums. She’s also played with Natalie Merchant, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls, Dennis Brown, Maxi Priest, NYC Reggae Collective, Rachelle Garniez, Metropolitan Klezmer and Isle of Klezbos.

Climb features another alluring set of original songs. Pam is joined by vocalist Dana Calitri on two thunderous hit ballads: "Angel of Adventure" and "Lose My Mind", which will give even Pop radio an emotional jolt.

Unlike so many ‘jazz cats’ these days, Pam is a songwriter first and foremost. Her tunes are memorable, catchy, and they tell a lot of stories.

Fleming can pull a crescendo out of thin air. She can also pull hard on your heartstrings. Pam plays with a pure, clear tone that recalls nothing less than the Prince of Darkness himself, Miles Davis, with equal subtlety, terseness and flair for the unexpected. Her first CD, 'Fearless Dreamer', was a lush, romantic adventure in sonic seduction. This one dares to go everywhere. 'Climb' comprises bouncy roots reggae, thoughtfully ambient ‘soundtrack’ melodies, pop songs, funk-infused grooves and a little late-night blues. Pam brings it all together 'fearlessly'!

The moody title track "CLIMB", was written right after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. This song is dedicated to all those who lost their lives, and all those who lost someone they love and miss.

Musicians on the album:

Pamela Fleming ­ trumpet/flugelhorn/additional piano & synth/vocals (vocs on tracks 3, 4 & 10)
Allen Won - saxes/bass flute/alto flute
Jim West - piano/synth
Peter Calo ­ electric & acoustic guitar
Leo Traversa ­ bass
Todd Isler - drums/hadgini/hand drums
Dana Calitri ­ vocals (track 4 & 10)

Track Review:

The album’s opening track, "Say Goodbye" is less of a lament that the title might imply, floating in on an irresistible trumpet hook that returns in all the right places. (There has to be a cool cult favorite TV show in need of something this catchy.)

The next two tunes, "Slimy Business" and "Forward Sign" groove to a reggae beat; the first, a stylish vamp with adventurous, crescendoing solos for Allen Won's tenor and Fleming’s trumpet. Next, Pam surprises us and sings on this conscious roots tune. As the lyrics go, "We need a forward sign in a backward time". No doubt.

"Angel of Adventure", featuring Dana Calitri and Pam on vocals, is a huge anthemic hit ballad honoring the strong women of the world. Allen Won's sax solo takes it over the edge. Powerful stuff!

The tender, mournful "More Than Anything" begins with a haunting piano melody paired off with the eerie slides of Leo Traversa's bass, winding through several gently thoughtful horn passages supported by Todd Isler's ‘hadgini’ (clay hand drum).

The reggae beat returns on the sly, ebullient "Straysnake". Anchored by Peter Calo's sexy wah-wah guitar, the tune builds to an triumphant climax, the band going full tilt, muted trumpet leading the dance with unselfconscious delight.

The next four songs work as a remembrance to 9/11, and is dedicated to those we lost on that terrible day. The dreamy, pensive "Early Morning" trumpet floating over an Afrobeat guitar loop; the haunting, foreboding title track "Climb"; Jim West's contemplative piano solo "Curious Stillness", leads us into the anguished pop song "Lose My Mind" also sung by Dana Calitri.

The CD concludes on an upbeat note with the playful "Lester’s Blues" dedicated to the late trumpet player Lester Bowie, of Art Ensemble of Chicago fame.

for Pam - Fearless Dreamer, one who's not afraid to continue the climb!

Poem inspired by Climb

Yes, New York experienced a catastrophic tragedy on 9/11
Many souls, that day, unexpectedly were called into heaven

The fires from hell filled the earth with an ugly scar
It could be seen, smelled and touched from far and afar

Could man have done this ghastly deed
Bringing down in such an irascible way two monuments with such great speed

The evil deed, it really did happen and many took notice
One such gifted person put it into music

She now Climbs to greater heights giving us luscious, haunting sounds
We listen and listen until memories of good and evil pounds

Our minds, souls, hearts, unopened doors, listless avenues - our inner self
And brings us tranquility again when we thought only death remained on the shelf

Fearless dreamer come to me - give me peace of mind, give me music to shine
Give me ethereal sounds - I have found new life... let your music be mine

Pam - you inspire me so very, very much!
Peace, Love and Soul...

Sometimes the music makes me dance and sometimes the music relaxes me.

"Because of Climb, I love the trumpet. Sometimes the music makes me dance and sometimes the music relaxes me. This CD is cool. My little brother and I make up weird dances to "Slimy Business" I love playing hockey to this CD. You can really do anything while listening to his CD.
"Slimy Business" makes me think of monkeys eating bananas. The musicians are really good."