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Don Braden: The Contemporary Standards Ensemble
ByThis brings us to the disc at hand, tenor saxophonist Don Braden's attempt to speak in the present vernacular. The Contemporary Standards Ensemble is really an update of the kind of three and four horn writing that Braden has excelled at since his early Criss Cross days and such terrific albums as After Dark. Its namesake notwithstanding, only half of the program features pop tunes, with the other half consisting of originals by Braden and bassist Richie Goods. Things get underway with Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne" (looks like The Dan are getting some overdue recognition considering that Christian McBride's current disc covers "Aja") and the heavy groove and serious swing effectively announces that Braden's jazz is the real deal. Drummer Ralph Peterson rocks the house with a Nawlins Second Line cum funk groove and his interaction with the band throughout is a real asset.
As for the other modern standards included, there's the two Roberta Flack hits "The Closer I Get To You" and "Feel Like Making Love," the former a ballad showcase for Braden and the latter a "bump and grind" style blues number (look out for George Colligan's charged statement!). Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" is taken as a festive Latin romp and designates Braden's further involvement with Stevie's material since "Creepin'," which appeared on the previously mentioned After Dark. As for Braden's own writing, one shouldn't be surprised to find stimulation there as well. Adding the final element, group chemistry is undeniably strong and this debut of a new assemblage for Braden comes highly recommended.
Track Listing
Kid Charlemagne; The Closer I Get To You; The Vail Jumpers; Dance of the One; Overjoyed; Feel Like Making Love; Nandhi; Arise.
Personnel
Don Braden
saxophone, tenorDon Braden: tenor saxophone; Vincent Herring; alto saxophone; Terrell Stafford: trumpet; George Colligan: piano; Richie Goods: bass;l Ralph Peterson, Jr.: drums.
Album information
Title: The Contemporary Standards Ensemble | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Double-Time Jazz
Comments
About Don Braden
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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