As a rule, the term “vertical alignment” refers to one’s relationship to God, and by the testimony both musical and written on this album by saxist Fostina Dixon, it seems like the line is straight up.
Ms. Dixon plays soprano, alto and bari sax on this album with a core team of Al Turner/b, Monty Q. Pollard/p, Ron Otis-Jeff Canady/dr, Rick Watford-Gary Johnson/g as well as guest vocalist Jeff Murrell and multi-instrumentalist Ray Chew. The tunes are upbeat and optimistic, mixing R&B, smooth and a dash of modern gospel, as on the peppy “Good Vibes” with her horn flying over Turner’s snappy bass line. Johnson’s wacka wooka guitar gets funky for Fostina on”Struting Down Fulton Street” and the title track has her preaching over Pollard’s sensitive piano. Murrell gives wonder and warmth as he melds with Dixon’s soprano on “I’ll Always Remember You” and the closing “He Is Risen” has the band sway like a gospel choir. Music in the right direction in more ways than one.