Album Review: Champian Fulton & Klas Lindquist – At Home

Champian Fulton’s At Home is exactly what its title promises: a warm, intimate duo recording that makes you feel like a welcomed guest in the musicians’ living room. Recorded live in the home of Turtle Bay Records’ founder after a casual dinner-party jam, the 10-track album captures Fulton (on piano and vocals) and Swedish reedman Klas Lindquist (clarinet and alto sax) at ease and in sync. The atmosphere is simple, unpretentious, and cozy the kind of record that makes you feel like you’ve scored the best seat in the house.

Masterful Musicianship & Chemistry

Both artists are in top form, and their chemistry is the beating heart of this album. It plays like an honest and heartfelt conversation between two musicians who deeply trust each other. Fulton’s dual role singing while comping herself on piano is delivered with harmonic sophistication and natural swing. Her vocal style has that approachable charm, relaxed but deeply musical, lending a personal touch to each lyric. Whether she’s caressing a ballad or swinging through an uptempo number, she does it with effortless clarity and feel.

Fulton’s piano work deserves just as much praise. She can shift from delicate voicings to a striding blues pulse in a heartbeat her phrasing nods to greats like Shirley Horn, Erroll Garner, and even a touch of Monk in her rhythmic sensibility. It’s all seamless and organic. There’s no showboating just tasteful, swinging, in-the-pocket playing that lifts the whole session.

Klas Lindquist proves to be the perfect partner. On clarinet, he’s warm and lyrical, often playing around Fulton’s vocals with perfectly placed fills that feel like an extension of the melody. On alto sax, he brings a velvety, vintage tone with just enough grit to give it soul. His solos float and burn where needed, and on the instrumentals, he stretches out beautifully whether blowing smoky lines on “P.S. I Love You” or going full-blues preacher on “Don’t Do That to Me.”

Together, these two create a sound that’s far bigger than the sum of its parts. There’s no bass, no drums but you won’t miss them. The balance and communication between piano and horn is that good.

Time-Traveling Song Selections

The song list is a loving tour through jazz history. Most tunes are classics from the Great American Songbook, including “The Very Thought of You,” “Tea for Two,” and “You Can Depend on Me.” They also dig into earlier swing gems like Earl Hines’ “My Monday Date” and close with a tender Louis Armstrong tribute, “Someday You’ll Be Sorry.”

There’s even a little surprise in the mix: a lesser-known Blossom Dearie track (“I Was Looking for You”), which adds a cool, understated flair. The duo also includes their own original tune, “Don’t Do That to Me,” a playful blues number that brings a jolt of personality and grit. Fulton leans into the piano like she’s playing in a Kansas City club, while Lindquist testifies on alto with joyful swagger. It’s one of the album’s highlights and also its most streamed track to date.

This blend of beloved standards, deep cuts, and a fresh original keeps the album from falling into safe territory. It feels like a personal playlist curated by two musicians with deep love and reverence for the tradition and a good sense of fun, too.

Critical & Fan Reception

At Home has been met with rave reviews. Jazz critics have called it charming, captivating, and even “an absolute 40-carat gem.” Highlights include Fulton’s understated yet expressive vocals, her impeccable piano phrasing, and the duo’s unforced chemistry. Multiple reviewers noted how easy it is to sit back with this record it’s sophisticated without being stuffy, and relaxed without being lazy.

What really shines through is the intimacy. You feel like you’re there, a fly on the wall for a private jam session. The production captures the warmth of the space without over-polishing it. There’s no studio trickery just two musicians doing what they do best, in a moment of genuine connection.

Listeners agree. Social media comments praise the “comforting vibe,” the song choices, and the obvious joy in the performances. People are using words like “soothing,” “timeless,” and “honest” and that says it all.

One Minor Quibble

One outlier review wished for more risk-taking, suggesting that the arrangements might feel a little too faithful to the originals. But even this more critical take acknowledged the duo’s musicality and praised the original blues track for its looseness and charm. In short, even the most skeptical ears found something to love.

Final Verdict

At Home is a standout jazz album warm, smart, swinging, and sincere. It reminds you what makes this music great: conversation, connection, and feel. Champian Fulton and Klas Lindquist are in full command of their craft, but they never let ego or flash get in the way of the music. If you love classic vocal jazz, or just want to relax with something beautifully played and deeply human, this album hits the spot.

Put it on, pour a drink, and settle in. It’s called At Home for a reason and that’s exactly where it takes you.

By Peter Antheunis