Search - Branford Marsalis :: Dark Keys

This is what jazz is all about

Chris Massa | West Chester, PA | 10/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD. But so does everybody else who wrote in about it. So I'll keep this short and to the point.What I love most about this CD is probably how it sounds live. There are so many jazz CDs that sound like they were recorded in a studio under hot lights playing into a microphone. This isn't necessarily bad, because this is what's really going on. But real jazz is, for me, playing in a basement or a small room, with guys who just want to play and aren't overly concerned about how it sounds. The music on this release is fun, dark, and mind-bogglingly creative. Marsalis asserts himself as a masterful jazz saxophonist, Tain has never sounded better, and, if nothing else, bassist Veal proves that he can follow anybody (even Tain).Be warned though, that this is not for those half-baked jazz fans out there. If you want music that you can tap your foot to without looking ridiculous, or if you want nice pretty melodies that you will walk away singing, look elsewhere. Not that there's anything wrong with singable melodies. That's just not what's on this CD."

Not always my forte, but I'm not sorry I bought it...

Nathan | Charlotte, N.C. United States | 05/22/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Like past reviwers said if you're looking for some jazz to tap your foot to or even that has a discernable melody, you best move on, 'cause this is NOT the place you'll find it, and I do admit that a piano being present might have givin' this a little more of a jump for me, but this is still some pretty enjoyable stuff. I didn't particularly care for the title track (it just seemed a little TOO all over the place; no disrespect to it though), but the remaining seven are very good to listen to. I particularly liked 'A Thousand Autumns'; I think all three men play incredibly on it; they vibe off of each other well; good chemistry.



Now I'm probably more of a traditional jazz enthusiast admittedly so I'm sure I'll be criticized for even ATTEMPTING to review this by the real jazz-heads, and I probably don't have the authority to, but it just lacks the zeal and zest of the bebop that I love. I think I might enjoy this more in a club or at a bar with a few drinks in me. But when it's just me sitting at home or in my car, it's just not as enticing as say Webster or Dizzy."

A great trio album

Rob Watkins | Augusta, Georgia United States | 07/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"on this outing, mr. marsalis drops the piano, but the loss of a chordal instrument in no way diminshes the power of the music. with tain on drums and reginald veal on bass, this trio pushes and explores a variety of forms and moods richly. the sound is reflective of coltrane from his later period with impulse records and the stylings of ornette coleman from his 60s quartet and trio albums, particularly when mr. marsalis plays soprano sax. the title piece is a cascading song very much like trane and sets the mood and feel immediately. this is going to be exhilirating jazz. it moves through to a beautful ballad, "a thousand autumns" that is at once quiet, but evocative of deep feeling. other highlights are "judas iscariot" featuring kenny garrett on alto (a playfully swinging tune), and "sentinel" featuring joe lovano on tenor (a blowing session in one song). the album also features a first recording of "lykeif," done again on the album 'requiem' in a quartet setting, evoking the mood and tonality of keith jarrett. this is a stirring album that reveals a mature and wonderful artist at work."