Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By The Branford Marsalis Quartet, OKeh Records 2019.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet has been in existence for at least three decades now and in that time they’ve consistently pushed the boundaries of jazz to include influences as diverse as pop to opera and from the rhythms of Africa to Latin America.
The band consists of Marsalis on saxophone, Joey Calderazzo on piano, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Falukner.
They’re a likeminded group of musicians who are masters of their respective instruments and their interplay shows all the hallmarks of a combined commitment and vision.
Their longevity, and successively adventurous recordings, suggests that they have been able to take their devoted fans along with them as they’ve explored more and more complex musical themes.
This latest album has an Australian connection.
In 2017 the band hit the road to explore their new material as they toured the world. It’s an unusual approach, most bands complete their material in the studio and then tour it.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet on the other hand probe and polish their compositions in front of live audiences.
In June they had five days off in Melbourne and instead of “having fun” as Marsalis put it, they decided to work.
They assembled in The Alexander Theatre at Monash University and recorded the seven tracks that comprise this album.
Branford Marsalis has always pushed boundaries.
His work with Sting taught him that economy of melody was important.
Only having 45 seconds in which to establish and complete the melody of your solo was a great learning tool and it has influenced all his music ever since.
He says he is no longer satisfied with the ‘jam session’ approach to recording.
This has led to his philosophy of “going out and working the music” to refine it.
The Secret Between The Shadow And The Soul confirms Branford Marsalis’s vision.
It is sophisticated, adventurous, and anything but apologetic.
It captures a great band sounding better than ever.
