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REVIEWS

                 2020 

'Many thanks, Don, from a fan of great music and message.'
TRUDY LEONG of the WZRD, Chicago, IL, on The Time We
Have (Meld 1). 

"I love it!"
DAVE BLEVINS of WODU, Norfolk, VA, on The Time We Have
(Meld 1).
 

                 2021 

'I just like it!'
JOHN SINCLAIR of Radio Free Amsterdam, Detroit, MI, on The Time We Have (Meld 1).   































with JOE DIMINO of Neon Jazz and  KXJL and KJOH and All About Jazz on The Time WeHave (Meld 1). and WOMEN and MUSIC (Meld 2) and COMPASSION, Poems and Drums.

DP: "I have a feeling that maybe this decade is going to be completely different than a lot of Great Resetters would wish it to be. You know, it's going to be more of a burgeoning of creativity."
JOE: "I think about that a lot now. This is IT! This is a nexus and there has to be a birth, a big bang of creativity that's just just gonna explode all over the place. And it is now." 

                 2022 

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'There is no denying the art of what Lewis is doing. "Carrying The Saxophones is a masterwork of soul and groove." 
DODIE LOUIS GOULD of Lemon Wire on Roger Lewis' ALRIGHT!

'ALRIGHT" is Roger Lewis first album after more than 60 years of illustrious play as a saxophonist in New Orleans and round the world.... My personal favorite is the almost crystalline, skillfully crafted improvised tribute to Kidd Jordan Maybe You See Horses  
ANNA CARLINI of Exclusive Magazine on ALRIGHT!

'ALRIGHT" begins with the composition Bobee (What A Spirit Walks That Way), which Roger Lewis dedicated to his late son. Sadness and memory [are] conveyed in very sharp Caribbean rhythms and spectacular roll call of saxophones and sousaphone. Amazing composition! ... One can only wish many to maintain the same mental fortitude and good spirits as this musician from New Orleans.'
LEONID AUSKERN of The Jazz Squadxclusive Magazine on ALRIGHT!

Roger Lewis début album as a bandleader is stuffed with spirit, memories, poetry, ghosts of the past and hope for the future.... Roger Lewis has interwoven poetry, history and spirits into his horn-playing like knitting needles weaving a shawl.  His music covers us, warms us and surprises us with both its intensity and rawness.;
DEE DEE MCNEIL of Musical Memoirs.

 'A record as fun as it challenging and surprising.... This is the sound of New Orleans if it were on Saturn. They’ve processed the sound of the sousaphone into something weird and wobbly, and Lewis has overdubbed himself multiple times into a kind of one-man Sun Ra Arkestra saxophone section..... Free, funky, bluesy, endlessly creative, fun, unpredictable, independent, jazzy, and a gumbo of influences — that’s New Orleans, and that’s Roger Lewis’s Alright!'. 
ALLEN MICHIE of ArtsFuse.

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'Love Over War begins with “Get Your JAM On!,” a hefty, funky kick through the door with wailing saxophones and transcendent vocals…. This is a seasoned, multifaceted artist that can lead with precision as well as quietly follow… On “Glory, Glory, Glory is For Us All,” Paul and his backing band, Rivers Answer Moons, turn their mix of jazz and poetry into a kind of reverie … Everyone shines in their own way …. On this album, Paul leads, he follows, he whispers and bellows, ,,, but throughout each track he always remains essentially himself, a man of multitudes and vision.’
ANDREW COMER of Offbeat.

'Author, bandleader and Grammy-nominated producer Don creates some of the most superbly creative funky fun you’ll ever hear on this great album.... In addition to Don’s excellent vocals and spoken-word, you will also enjoy the players ...  Roger Lewis alto, baritone, tenor and soprano saxophones; Herlin Riley  drums-set, Kirk Joseph sousaphone, Michael Torregano Jr. piano and electronic keyboards, Mario Abney trumpet, Erica Falls guest singer; Dhyani Dharma slide-guitar on “My Old Man”; Kidd Jordan tenor saxophone and Morikeba Kouyate koraon “About Reinaldo Mourning and Outrage”; Don Paul bhodran on “A Baby’s Smile Is Sweet To See”… I was especially impressed with the soul-laden “Glory Glory Glory Is For Us All”… Erica’s vocal is strong and filled with life.... I give Don and all his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating for this high-energy album, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.98.'
DICK METCALF of Contemporary Fusion Reviews

'New Orleans poet, occasional singer, experienced jazz producer, writer, runner and full-time activist Don Paul ranges far and wide over the Crescent City soundscape on this enjoyable release.... The firsts six tracks are three songs, present as boht vocal and instgurmentsl versions, and the format actually works well.... All are effective and memorable.... A varied and entertaining release.

NORMAN DARWEN of The Jazz Rag.

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'Don Paul brings along an impressive cast of musicians to this very diverse listen that embraces jazz, funk, gospel, rock and spoken word.... “Love Over War, Every Time We Play” (with vocals) finds plenty of flowing melody amid the crisp drums, well timed keys and soaring vocals, while “My Old Man” is a more bare offering of gritty singing alongside Dhyani Dharma’s skilled slide guitar.... A very eclectic and profoundly unique album.'
TOM HAUGEN of TakeEffectReviews.
 

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