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 Collar