FEARLESS DREAMER
Fearless Dreamer (Infinite Room RPM)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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I first became aware of Pamela Fleming as the trumpeter for a couple of my favorite klezmer bands, Metropolitan Klezmer and Isle Of Klezbos, but that barely scratches the surface of her experience. Fleming has worked with artists as diverse as Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Scott, Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Merchant and Burning Spear, and since 1991 she's led her own group, Fearless Dreamer. This album, dating from 1998, was Fearless Dreamer's recording debut, but don't let the date fool you. A combination of timeless influences with a progressive musical vision resulted in an album that's completely fresh five years after its release, and one that will keep you completely satisfied until its successor is released later this year.

One of Fleming's more impressive gifts, aside from her considerable skill on her horn, is her ability to adapt African and Caribbean elements into a contemporary jazz context without falling into the kind of 'world music' cliches that mar many similar efforts. Having shared stages with Burning Spear and Fela Kuti (to whom her composition "Ba-Bo-De" is dedicated) provides the experience that lends authenticity to her approach.

Fearless Dreamer is well worth tracking down. Pamela Fleming is just about everywhere you look (most recently in the Tonight Show band backing Rufus Wainwright) and well worth looking for.

Track List:

Say It * Because Of Anthony * Distance * Homeless Ghost * This Is What I've Got * Magic In The Wind * Ba-Bo-De * Sneaking' Around Town * Full Moon * On & On * Melancholy

© 2003 - Shaun Dale