JACK FOSTER III – Apple Jack Magic (2014)

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US composer and guitarist JACK FOSTER III graduated with honors in 1981 with a degree in Music Composition and Theory, however, events didn’t happen as hoped back then, and pretty soon he found himself joining and eventually becoming a partner in the family real estate concern Foster Enterprises.
But some time after the millenium he rediscovered his passion for making music, which so far has lead to the release of four albums, and now, after six years of silence is presenting his 5th effort: “Apple Jack Magic“.

I never heard about Foster’s music before, but what picked my interest was seeing uber talented Robert Berry from AORsters Alliance and Magellan playing bass, drums, keys, backing vocals here. If Berry it’s involved, this might be something good.
And I give thanks to myself for my inquisitiveness because the material in “Apple Jack Magic” is truly great.
Many types of different music lovers should be able to find a song that fits their preferred genre. While the album mixes various different types of styles, incorporates several different instruments and vocal variations, “Apple Jack Magic” never pushes the envelope too far, and results really homogeneous.

Seems Jack Foster III has played a bit of blues, jazz and mainstream rock on his previous recordings, but this on one, everything is impregnated with a strong melodic neo-prog aura and quite poppy and catchy tunes easy to the ear.
Each song is definitely unique, a well balanced music that preserves the traditional ‘song structure’ while introducing new interesting twists.

Track one, “Take A Little Time”, serves as a perfect microcosm for the rest of the album. Its organic beginning with clean guitars soon shifts into more powerful guitars and vocals, super bass lines by Berry and a catchy melodic chorus. This opening song displays a series of mood changes that mirrors the album as a whole.
Later, “Saga” opens with fast rocking tempo, demanding guitars, and vocals to match. The ‘in your face’ rock style is woven together with an interplay of heavy chords and soaring keyboards that mix with voice changes and different instruments that create a truly full sound. A superb neo-prog composition and a highlight.

But Jack Foster III is not a one trick pony on “Apple Jack Magic”.
You have calm jazzy pop, even Westcoast waves on the smooth “Cavalry”, dreamy AORish melodies in “A Thousand Miles Away” (superb orchestration), and intense proggy changes with “Guinevere’s Dead”.
“Blue Grass” and its southern porch stomping sound is another excellent 180 degree that the album takes. This track is a comfortable little rocking song that will stick in your head and is ideal to either sing along with it or enjoy as background in a coffee house.

“Real Roses” presents more of a mainstream sound than any of its neighboring tracks. However, its rare acoustic guitar riffing, synth background and female backing vocals helps it maintain its uniqueness.
Slow number (yet not a ballad) “High And Dry In The Rain” is another interesting check point in the album that will grab the listener’s full attention. This song comes at the listener with a deep, sincere, spiritual sound and trance-like vocals hard to ignore. The spacey outro guitar solo is excellent, in the Dann Huff vein.

“Apple Jack Magic” is one of those little gems that sadly, due to zero promotion, will remain unheard by fans of good, stylistically crafted rock music. It’s elegant, bright, melodic, superbly performed and recorded.
Jack Foster III is a talented man, not only as composer, but with the guitar is second to none, and his vocals are deep, crystal clear as Arctic water.
You can hear the hand of Robert Berry creating and developing the wonderful light neo prog melodies, playing bass, clever keyboard lines, and vocally harmonizing the whole thing. A true ‘orchestrator’.
Do yourself a favor and get “Apple Jack Magic”, delicious as a juicy sweet apple indeed.
Super Recommended.

01 – Take A Little Time
02 – Cavalry
03 – Saga
04 – A Thousand Miles Away
05 – Blue Grass
06 – Guinevere’s Dead
07 – Real Roses
08 – Medicine Cup
09 – Beyond The Blue
10 – High And Dry In The Rain
11 – Your Hero And Your Fool

Jack Foster III: all guitars and vocals
Robert Berry: bass, drums, keys, back vocals
Mike Vanderhule: drums on 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10
Lynda Upthegrove: vocals on 5 and 7
Richard Huebner: keys on 7
Sven Krong: additional drums on 3

BUY IT !
www.justforkicks.de/detail.asp?sid=3001202M76N126N207N131&uid=0&id=17753
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