Album: Candy Store / 11 tracks: 50:23 / September 18, 2007 / Heads Up International
Two things that you should know about Dutch funk/jazz saxophonist Candy Dulfer, she says what is on her mind, and she does not play by the rules. The music from her new CD release Candy Store is just as bold, and dismisses any sense 
of genre labeling. The album is refreshing and demonstrates the self-assuredness of an artist, who has long been regarded as one of the world’s premier musicians. Candy Store, takes the listener on a wild ride through urban, R&B, smooth jazz and funk, sometimes with more than one of those elements occurring in the same song.
The opening track “Candy,” begins with Chance Howard rapping his own rhymes, to beats he created, and overlaid with Dulfer’s R&B sax melody.
The second track, “music = love,” a Thomas Bank/Ulco Bed/Candy Dulfer collaborative composition evidences smooth jazz sax rhythms, supported by similar guitar chords from Ulco Bed, and a strong bass line from Howard. At times, the supporting horns, Jan van Duikeren (trumpet), and trombonist Louk Boudesteijn, add hints of a pop melody. Duikeren wrote the arrangements for the horns.
“L.A. City Lights” is a blast from the past, bordering on seventies disco / R&B. Van Duikeren, Boudesteijn and Dulfer serve up sounds reminiscent of Tower of Power, with Dulfer speaking through three different sax voices, baritone, tenor and alto.
The song “La Cabana” unites traditional Latin rhythms with electronica. The heavier clipped programmed beats are juxtaposed to Dulfer’s fatter, more lingering alto sax.
The fifth song “11:58,” is more stripped down than the preceding songs on the CD, therefore allowing us to soak up the music emanating from the bell of Dulfer’s horn.
Tracks such as the dance groove “Summertime” invite the listener to get up and boogie. This is a fun song that reflects Dulfer’s live performances. She likes to celebrate her music with her audience. For the listener who is only familiar with Dulfer as a saxophonist you are in for a real treat, because this lady also has gorgeous vocals and lends them to “Summertime.” She is backed by Chance Howard and Trijente Oosterhuis. “Summertime” is a song that will make you want to get up and move and groove.
It appears that a lot of thought went into the order in which the songs appear on Candy Store, because although there is a lot of genre blending and blurring going on, Dulfer never strays far from jazz. “Summertime” is immediately followed by the gorgeous, soulful and smooth jazz “SoulSax.” Songs like “SoulSax” are the reason that I fell in love with the saxophone as my favorite instrument. The notes warm you up, snuggle close and leave you wanting more.
The opening bars of “Smokin’ Gun,” remind one of Ace of Base’s “I Saw The Sign.” However, like most tunes on this splendid CD the music does not tarry long in this zone before segueing into more contemplative charts that stir the imagination. “Smokin’ Gun” is another fairly stripped down song, with Dulfer’s alto in the forefront, while the other musicians adopt a more subdued mood.
“Back To Juan” is a very funky song, incorporating a call and response between Dulfer’s sax and Bank’s keyboards. Chance Howard lays down an upbeat bass line, while Bed and Duikeren round out the rhythm section.
Other songs to listen for on Candy Store include the mellow “If I Ruled The World,” and the exquisitely romantic “Everytime.”
The street date for Candy Store is September 18th.
Reviewed By: Joe Montague
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Reviewed June 2007
