Branford Marsalis – Belonging (2025) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Branford Marsalis – Belonging (2025)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:02:53 minutes | 1,25 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Marsalis Music, LLC – Blue Note Records

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, one of the foremost jazz artists of our time and a pacesetting creative force in the music industry for more than four decades, makes his Blue Note debut with ‘Belonging’, a full album reinterpretation of Keith Jarrett’s 1974 ECM album of the same name which was the debut of the pianist’s European Quartet. ‘Belonging’ is Marsalis’ first release since 2019 with his acclaimed quartet featuring pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner.Covering songs—let alone an entire album—invites comparisons. But having already released a 2005 live recreation of John Coltrane’s Love Supreme, tenor saxophonist Branford Marsalis is certain that he can withstand the judgements while meaningfully adding to Keith Jarrett’s 1971 landmark, Belonging. One advantage is that unlike Jarrett, who was debuting his new “European” quartet (saxophonist Jan Garbarek, bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen), Marsalis has the support of longtime compatriots. Bassist Eric Revis joined his quartet in 1996, pianist Joey Calderazzo came aboard a few years later, and drummer Jason Faulkner arrived in 2009. That kind of longevity breeds a telepathic familiarity, and it’s that brotherhood that allows Marsalis to stretch out all of Jarrett’s original compositions—in some cases to twice the length. Not surprisingly, the brightest spotlight is on Calderazzo who—while not approaching the fluidity of Jarrett’s ideas or the flashing, unexpected turns in his playing—more than holds his own. He quietly embroiders subtle discoveries in the background of the album’s opening number, “Spiral Dance.” While the slower cuts on the 1971 record are its least distinguished tracks, Marsalis adds a bittersweet tone to his opening meditation in “Blossom” that lingers longer, is fuller-toned, and is more heartfelt than Garbarek’s. As is the case with Jarrett’s album, the jaunty, gospel-influenced “‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” is the highlight. A classic example of the broad range of Jarrett’s composing genius, the track was also the subject of a lawsuit by the composer against Steely Dan, whom Jarrett alleged had stolen from the song. (In the settlement, Jarrett was credited as a co-writer.) Here, Calderazzo beautifully inhabits the playful, bluesy mode of Jarrett’s original version. Both a study and a vital reconnection to the past, Marsalis’ Belonging brings new possibilities to a jazz masterpiece. – Robert Baird

Tracklist:

1-01. Branford Marsalis – Spiral Dance (08:21)
1-02. Branford Marsalis – Blossom (11:01)
1-03. Branford Marsalis – ‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours (08:55)
1-04. Branford Marsalis – Belonging (07:35)
1-05. Branford Marsalis – The Windup (12:40)
1-06. Branford Marsalis – Solstice (14:19)

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