Live at Baker’s

It may be only half the album it was supposed to be, but James Carter’s latest release, the long-delayed Live at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge is out and it is a powerful recording. Carter teamed up with some of Detroit’s best jazz musicians, including in his hometown’s oldest jazz club for a three night stand in June 2001. Unlike his last few releases, this is not a concept or theme album. This is simply Carter doing what he does best: kicking ass by playing saxophone and improvising.
Originally, this was to be a two disc album and feature some tracks recorded with Aretha Franklin. But, when he recorded this material, Carter was signed to Atlantic Records. Before this album was released, Atlantic closed up its jazz division and Carter jumped to Columbia. This album got stuck in record label limbo until Warner Bros. (as Atlantic’s successor) released a single disc version. Hopefully the rest of the recordings from this stand at Baker’s will surface soon.
Detroit Free Press: Live from Detroit: Long-awaited recording from sax man James Carter is solid but not all it could have been
The Guardian: James Carter, Live at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Jazz Review: James Carter & Sweet Home Detroit
Nashville City Paper: Spin Factor: “This is a rambunctious, experimental album seldom released these days by major labels.”