BRANFORD MARSALIS — Four MFs Playin' Tunes (review)

BRANFORD MARSALIS — Four MFs Playin' Tunes album cover Album · 2012 · Post Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
I had been looking forward to the new Branford Marsalis CD, things he mentioned on a promotional video were encouraging. Although this is not quite the powerhouse I had hoped for, there are some very good “tunes” on here, as well as some that are OK. Marsalis and his crew draw from the past, particularly Monk’s abrasive hard bop, Miles’ mid-60s impressionism and Ornette’s lyrical freedom, but they also take a modern understated no nonsense approach, less extravagance and more driven focus. New drummer Justin Faulkner proves to be a great asset and almost steals the show on a couple numbers. He also helps modernize their sound with new approaches including favoring the toms over the typical ride cymbal creating an almost one man drum line.

Anyone who has seen Branford live knows he can deliver fierce tenor onslaughts with sheets of notes. The closest to that on this CD is “Whiplash”, where a quick loopy bop melody quickly gives way to Branford’s tenor solo over just drum and double bass. Joey Calderazzo is a great pianist, but its nice to hear Branford in this pure tenor trio setting. Marsalis eschews pyrotechnics on this one in exchange for clever rhythmic exchanges with Faulkner. Other highlights include two excellent modern impressionistic ballads that show off Calderazzo’s subtle piano colors. “As Summer into Autumn Slips” is almost neo-classical as Marsalis turns in his best performance on soprano sax drawing sweet oboe like sounds from his horn. “Endymion” is a sort of melodic free jazz free-for-all that features another good tenor solo and “Brews” and “Teo” supply the harsh Monk style off-center blues. The rest of the CD gets a little more eclectic and nostalgic, even getting back to the world of Sidney Bechet on bonus cut “Treat it Gentle”.

As mentioned earlier, there are some very good tunes on here, some of the more eclectic material may diminish the concentrated focus of the best ones, but on all cuts, the playing is top notch. What Branford offers is not flashy or extravagant, as reflected in the simple and really obtuse CD title.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Bow Code Post-Fusion Contemporary
SAMPO HIUKKANEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthem For No Man’s Land Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ANDREAS SCHAERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cabaret Eclectic Fusion
MARIUS NESET
Buy this album from MMA partners
Living Ghosts Post-Fusion Contemporary
MICHAEL WOLLNY
Buy this album from MMA partners
Live at Donte's, Vol. 1 Vocal Jazz
MIKE CAMPBELL
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Sunday afternoon
FURIO DI CASTRI
snobb· 8 hours ago
Harmônicos
FABIANO DO NASCIMENTO
js· 22 hours ago
Con Alma
GENE BERTONCINI
js· 1 day ago
Our Walk (Live)
BEN MARKLEY
js· 1 day ago
Solar (feat. Vicente Archer & Otis Brown III)
JERRY LÉONIDE
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed