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Fulton Street Maul is an album by the American saxophonist Tim Berne, released in 1987. It was his first album for a major label; he was working at Tower Records when Columbia Records decided to sign him. He supported the album with a North American tour. It was reissued in 1996.

Production

Fulton Street Maul was produced by Gary Lucas, a childhood friend who helped Berne get his Columbia deal. It was only the second time Berne had recorded an album using multiple tracks. Berne was backed by cellist Hank Roberts, percussionist Alex Cline, and guitarist Bill Frisell. He was influenced primarily by Julius Hemphill and Eric Dolphy. The group limited their solos, preferring to stick to arrangements. "Federico" is an homage to Federico Fellini. The album cover art was created by Steve Byram, who went on to design several other Berne album covers.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Chicago Sun-Times
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide
Oakland Tribune
Omaha World-Herald
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD
The Philadelphia Inquirer

The New York Times called "Betsy" "a character study involves eerie floating sounds; an elegiac tune; a static, echoic section using high overtones like Stockhausen's Stimmung, and a vaguely Arabian-sounding modal tune, wending its way into the distance"; the paper later included Fulton Street Maul on its list of the 10 best albums of 1987. The Chicago Sun-Times said that the album alternates "between shard-like soloing and seductive electronics, irreverent wit and genuinely gripping emotion".

The Sun Sentinel labeled Fulton Street Maul "an imaginative album that is rarely subtle, generally overpowering and often strange." The Washington Post concluded that "Berne often extends blues and bop themes and writes in a manner that strongly suggests the influence of Ornette Coleman... his compositions are coherent and thought-out." The Philadelphia Inquirer noted the "rigorous, as-it-happens jazz philosophy." The Plain Dealer dismissed the album as "unfocused, pompous, definitely yuppie-oriented".

Track listing

References

1. Santoro, Gene (1994). Dancing in Your Head: Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Beyond. Oxford University Press. p. 271.
2. Cordle, Owen (February 22, 1987). "Off the Record". The News & Observer. p. 8E.
3. Johnson, Martin (November 21, 1986). "Two Jazz Sounds Beyond Avant-Garde". Weekend. Newsday. p. 17.
4. "Rare Treasures". The Buffalo News. April 14, 2000. p. G2.
5. Habich, John (April 3, 1987). "Sooner or later, Berne's talent is recognized". Minneapolis Star and Tribune. p. 3C.
6. Macnie, Jim (July 27, 1996). "High-Vis Artists". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 30. p. 36.
7. Keepnews, Peter (December 6, 1986). "Blue Notes". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 49. p. 63.
8. Shteamer, Hank (October 16, 2024). "Let Him Play with Friends in a Bar". The New York Times. p. C1.
9. ^ Tesser, Neil (Fall 2017). "Any Way the Wind Blows". Jazziz. pp. 64–71.
10. ^ Sachs, Lloyd (February 26, 1987). "An ear-grabbing LP...". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 2.70.
11. ^ Smith, Will (April 26, 1987). "Jazz Sounds". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 12.
12. ^ Kelp, Larry (April 5, 1987). "Jazz". Calendar. Oakland Tribune. p. 17.
13. ^ Pareles, Jon (February 18, 1987). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C21.
14. "Fulton Street Maul Review by Scott Yanow". AllMusic. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
15. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
16. MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 107.
17. The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. Penguin Books. 2004. p. 139.
18. ^ Davis, Francis (February 20, 1987). "Albums". Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 26.
19. Pareles, Jon (December 27, 1987). "For Rock, Serious Issues and Roots Revivals". The New York Times. p. H27.
20. Wissink, Stephen (May 10, 1987). "The Challenge of Innovation". Sun Sentinel. p. 2F.
21. Joyce, Mike (September 18, 1987). "Helias & Berne Band Together". The Washington Post. p. N22.
22. Colombi Jr., Chris (April 10, 1987). "All That Jazz". Friday!. The Plain Dealer. p. 23.

• Tim Berne albums
• 1987 albums
• Columbia Records albums