Branford Marsalis (on tenor and soprano) and his 1987 quartet (which also includes pianist
Kenny Kirkland, bassist Delbert Felix and drummer
Lewis Nash) stretch out on a wide repertoire during this generally fascinating set. Very much a chameleon for the date,
Marsalis does close impressions of
Wayne Shorter on "Yes and No,"
John Coltrane ("Crescent City"),
Ben Webster (a warm version of "I Thought About You"),
Ornette Coleman ("Broadway Falls") and even
Jan Garbarek (on a long rendition of
Coleman's "Lonely Woman").
Random Abstract also includes a jam on
Kirkland's "LonJellis," a piece without chord changes. This is one of
Branford Marsalis' most interesting (and somewhat unusual) recordings. ~ Scott Yanow