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Branford Marsalis: Contemporary Jazz
The highlight of the record is Marsalis’ remake of Irving Berlin’s “Cheek To Cheek.” Playing havoc with time signatures, Branford and Watts reshuffle the familiar to create the infinite in terms of permutations of the song. His reworking a song, be it an original or his own “Elysium” (originally on Requim ), is Branford’s strongest suit. After Marsalis opens “Cheek,” Calderazzo follows in the deconstruct mode, chasing the melody up and down the keyboards. While the songs are not just soloing devices, the solos here are significant. Watt’s opens “Tain Mutiny” with his patented thunder attack before Marsalis spits a horn line and the wrestling match continues. And, like the WWF, all the mayhem is choreographed. You just got to love Tain’s pulse over Branford’s best Coltrane blowing. The set closes with the Gospel tinged “Countronious Rex,” named for the drummer’s country roots. The Pittsburgh-born Watts (the Steeler’s country?, well maybe Terry Bradshaw) wrote the hand-clapping soul station blues it seems to act as an old fashion revival. Reminds me of Cannonball Adderley and his feel for a great song.
Track Listing
In The Crease; Requiem; Elysium; Cheek To Cheek; Tain Mutiny; Ayanna; Countronious.
Personnel
Branford Marsalis
saxophoneBranford Marsalis
Album information
Title: Contemporary Jazz | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Columbia Records
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