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Web Site and Magazine Reviews: Chicago Jazz Magazine (May/June 2003) ...John flexes his composing muscle on this CD and I did smile at his "Time After Time" quote in "Come To The Table" while tading measures with the drums. I could recommend this CD for its pleasantly understated approach, especially to the funkier and fusion-y material, which can easily be overdone. All the musicians get plenty of room to stretch out and show what they can do, and with 12 generous songs, you're definitely getting your money's worth. All Music Guide One of the exciting things about Grover Washington, Jr.'s live concerts was his ability to play electric jazz-funk one minute and straightahead jazz the next. Jazz-funk and pop-jazz dominated most of the late saxman's studio albums, but on stage, everything from "Mr. Magic" to Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" was fair game. A similar outlook prevails on The Power of Two, which finds Chicago tenor man John Temmerman fluctuating between straightahead jazz and not-so-straightahead jazz. Temmerman's big tone is reminiscent of Dexter Gordon, but while Gordon generally stuck to bop (except for the occasional modal tune), Temmerman is obviously comfortable with straightahead post-bop as well as jazz-funk. Parts of The Power of Two exist in a modal Joe Henderson/John Coltrane/Yusef Lateef world; other parts are closer to the sort of groove-oriented jazz-funk that one associates with Washington, Wilton Felder and Ronnie Laws. And Temmerman, to his credit, is expressive in both areas....Temmerman is good at what he does, and The Power of Two is an enjoyable demonstration of his versatility. Link to full review on this site Jazz Institute of Chicago (Marshall Vente) John Temmerman plays the tenor sax with a big sound, studies with Mark Colby and has a love for jazz that is best expressed by his website domain name. Well-known Chicago musicians join Temmerman here: guitarist Neal Alger, electric bassist Steve Hashimoto and drummer for all occasions, Rusty Jones. The program is very original, diverse and modern. The only standards included are All Blues and Nice and Easy. The core of the repertoire is Temmerman's fine compositions that include much of the melodic, harmonic and rhythm advances of the last thirty years. There is a taste of bebop, blues, rock, Latin and straight-ahead jazz. Temmerman and his quartet play well throughout and no one misses a note... -MV ....This unit has been together for several years and it shows. The band is
very, very tight! The Power Of Two explores funk, fusion and
mainstream jazz including several Temmerman originals including my
personal favorite, the contemplative Plan B. The leader’s
powerful tenor is enhanced by Neal Alger’s energetic and imaginative
guitar work. Hashimoto and Jones sound as if they have been playing
together forever. Just listen to them on Slick Color. Wonderful
interaction! Link to full review on this site
Allaboutjazz.com ...John's talent on saxophone is filled with harmonic depth and incredible range, reminiscent of the imminent Dexter Gordon. His solos are rich and soulful. He penned half of the songs and the arrangements are all stellar. It would be a real treat to see this band perform live. Native Chicago music fans will no longer be a able to keep this little known secret from spreading. It deserves to be exposed. This is feel good music that grooves and will make you smile. Highly recommended. Link to full review on this site
Thejazzsite.net March 18, 2002 This is a band that has been together for some time, their interplay has not been something produced for this album but born out of endless live sessions I'll wager. The tracks cook from start to finish and the solos, particularly by John on Tenor and guitarist Neal Alger, are reminiscent of the late night jazz club scene when the crowd have been warmed up and had a few drinks and are ready to party. The rhythm section have a Ron Carter and Tony Williams feel. Link to full review on this site
Here and There Online E-zine A beautiful lush sounding jazz group from Skokie,Illinois has really put out a smooth album. Starting with Miles Davis's "All Blues",JT takes you on a wide array of different styles.The band is simply smoking and you get the feel they have played together all of their lives. John plays tenor sax,Neal Alger is on guitars,Rusty Jones on drums and the awesome Steve Hashimoto is on the electric bass. John wrote 6 of the 12 songs that encompass this 67 minute voyage. A nice cover of Costa Del Sol from the video game "Final Fantasy VII" is another highlight. This is worth picking up....
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