Search - Branford Marsalis :: The Steep Anthology

Nice anthology

Rob Watkins | Augusta, Georgia United States | 05/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"branford marsalis' time at columbia records was well spent, as this collection shows. this set makes a nice overview of mr. marsalis' development as an artist and composer over the last twenty years. "no backstage pass" is one the best bop tunes he has recorded and is full of flights of fancy and jagged jumps that mark mr. marsalis' style. "sydney in da haus" was a terrific homage to sydney bechet and gets that artist's blend of ruralism and jazz to a tee. there are also examples of mr. marsalis' experimentalism with "cain and abel" shining as an example. here mr. marsalis completely captures the advanced sounds of john coltrane and ornette coleman, but in a way that is totally his own. this set makes a great introduction to a fine sax man and will send you looking for the original Cds."