Branford Marsalis Braggtown CD

Branford Marsalis: Branford Marsalis (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Joey Calderazzo (piano); Eric Revis (bass guitar); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums).
The name Marsalis gets a lot of buzz (thanks largely to Wynton's celebrity status), but, name recognition notwithstanding, Branford Marsalis (who was, of course, the Tonight Show band leader for some time) remains one of the most vibrant and creatively driven players in contemporary jazz. BRAGGTOWN (2006) is a testament to Marsalis's will to push himself artistically. As usual, John Coltrane is a major reference point, but Marsalis also draws on fusion, bop, swing, funk, and classical (see his adaptation of Purcell's "O Solitude"). Backed by a crack rhythm section, BRAGGTOWN confidently accesses the wide universe of jazz both past and present.
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis' Braggtown finds the ever-evolving tenor man in a more action-oriented state of mind than his contemplative 2004 release Eternal. Having tackled the gigantically epic task of reworking John Coltrane's most well-known opus "A Love Supreme" on Footsteps of Our Fathers in 2002, it should come as no surprise that the Coltrane sound still lingers palpably over all the music on Braggtown. But rather than imitating or aping Coltrane's style, Marsalis has ingested the legendary innovator's concepts, utilizing them in his own unique way. Working once again with his stellar rhythm section of pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and longtime partner in "time" drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, Marsalis has come up with a collection of original songs perfectly suited for the muscular and sensitive group interplay this ensemble excels at. To these ends, "Jack Baker" is a funky and angular call to arms with Marsalis inverting a repeated theme as the band roils around him. Quickly changing gears, Marsalis moves to his trademark soprano for the gorgeously plaintive Calderazzo ballad "Hope." The noirish, dramatic "Blakzilla" features a bawdy and moody rubato opening that soon descends to a hyperkinetic bluesy mid-section. Interestingly, recalling his superb classical album Creation, Marsalis has re-purposed Henry Purcell's stately and sad ballad "O Solitude" here as well. The other tracks on Braggtown are equally engaging and, as evidenced by the fiery, avant-garde burn out closer "Black Elk Speaks," speak to Marsalis' abundant creative energy. ~ Matt CollarEntertainment Weekly (p.78) - "With his band, saxophonist Marsalis achieves a special blend of fire and cohesion."
Down Beat (p.72) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Marsalis' success emanates in part from his quartet's remarkable unity of purpose, particularly in the way it deals with time..."
JazzTimes (p.104) - "The mood is varied, but it begins and ends with a pair of 14-minute burners that feature dynamic, passionate work from Marsalis and his ever-exciting rhythms section..."