Label: International Anthem Records, 2023
Personnel - Jaimie Branch: trumpet, voice, keyboard, percussion; Lester St. Louis: cello, voice, flute, marimba, keyboard; Jason Ajemian: acoustic and electric bass, voice, marimba; Chad Taylor: drums, mbira, timpani, bells, marimba. Guests - Nick Broste: trombone (#5,6); Rob Frye: flute (#5), bass clarinet (#5,6,7); Akenya Seymour: voice (#5); Kuma Dog: voice (#5); Daniel Villarreal: conga, percussion (#2,5,6,7).
The late trumpeter and composer Jaimie Branch, a dynamic force of nature, left an indelible mark on contemporary jazz with her beautiful and innovative work. This posthumous album, recorded with her renowned quartet Fly or Die, was in the final stages of production just one month before her passing. The music, captured during a residency at the Bemis Center for the Contemporary Arts in Omaha, Nebraska, comprises eight tracks, many of which explore extended forms and modulations.
The album opens with the anthemic melody of "Aurora Rising”, seamlessly blending keyboards, timpani, and high-pitched trumpet notes. It segues into the rhythmic celebratory procession that is “Borealis Dancing”. Branch pushes and pulls throughout the firm tides, followed by cellist Lester St. Louis, whose soaring lines top off the arrangement. The abrasive backbeat of drummer Chad Taylor, a standout behind the kit, is the tune’s ballast. His pulsatory killing rhythm is also key on the upbeat “Take Over the World”, a concoction of African-tinged hooks, punk rock, and electronic rave. It all burns with hard-hitting energy.
Branch's artistry extends beyond composing and playing - she infuses a sense of fun into her work, exploring expanded approaches. This is evident in her use of vocals and lyrics on "Burning Grey”, where a punk flavor meets avant-garde proficiency, maintaining a persistent rhythm and groove throughout.
The jubilant “Baba Louie” takes on a rollicking African-tinged vibe under the aegis of Taylor’s mbira and Daniel Villarreal’s percussive articulation. There’s a change of pace halfway, which helps modulate to a more psychedelic passage with additional vocals and hazy effects. The quartet is further augmented on this occasion by special guests, adding trombone and flute to the mix. There’s still space for Meat Puppet’s country song “Comin’ Down”, here re-titled “The Mountain”, and featuring bassist Jason Ajemian as the sole accompanist. He joins Branch on vocals.
Jaimie Branch left a solid body of work whose sound doesn’t hide the sensitive colorist within her. Her music remains a lasting expression of creativity and gratitude.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Borealis Dancing ► 03 - Burning Grey ► 08 - Take Over the World