Track Listing

1. Doctone
2. Trieste
3. Thousand Autumns, A
4. Lykief
5. Bullworth
6. Elysium
7. Cassandra
8. 16th St. Baptist Church

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #176085 in Music
• Released on: 1999-03-23
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Branford Marsalis's artistic double life continues. On the one hand, he's furthered his professional (and financial) prospects with his highly visible stint as the leader of the Tonight Show band, his 1980s work with Sting, and his own funk-infused Buckshot Lefonque project. On the other, he's continued to make remarkable, challenging jazz albums that, like his previous trio effort The Dark Keys, have barely registered on mainstream radar. Requiem, with pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Jeff Watts, deserves to be the album that breaks the mold and finally gains Marsalis more recognition for what he does best. Consisting of eight Marsalis originals and a version of composer-drummer Paul Motian's "Trieste," this CD is contemporary jazz at its best, at once challenging, creative, and accessible by virtue of Marsalis's immensely melodic playing. It's also, tragically, the last recorded glimpse of Kirkland, who died soon after the album was completed. Requiem is enough to make listeners miss the pianist even more, as his playing, from some lightning-fast exploratory soloing on "Lykief" to funky rhythmic comping on "Bullworth," is always deliciously thick and instantly recognizable. Marsalis is in top form throughout, his tenor playing on "Doctone" and his gorgeous soprano work on "Trieste" serving as reminders that he's still one of the top saxophonists around, and his compositions, especially the ballad "Cassandra" and the intriguing "Elysium," are delightfully original. --Ezra Gale

Vibe
Branford Marsalis continues to explore the acoustic jazz ledge with an eight-pack of tunes ranging in mood from the mused beauty of "A Thousand Autumns" to the sprightly, tempo-shifting "Bullworth." The leader veers from conformity by voicing from the soul instead of the head.

Customer Reviews

Stunningly Beautiful and Important ***** Disc
Having come to listen to Branford Marsalis only recently I am kicking myself that it has taken so long to start exploring the music of this very creative gentleman. Through his career the key characteristic he has displayed is the degree to which he stretches himself over different music types and band formats. Some may appeal whereas others may not. Therefore it seems wise to consider each Branford release individually - this one is no exception.

With this release Branford is in reflective, emotive and expressive mode. He has replaced his driving and funky jazz sound with something more individual and searching. One is reminded of the more reflective side of Coltrane's output from the early 60's - Alabama for instance. This is where Branford really works best in my opinion. He displays a compositional capability which articulates and develops his ideas to a degree beyond other jazz musicians and the result is deeply satisfying and moving.

This music has hit all of my hot buttons - it's creative but still accessible, the sound is fantastic, expecially Branford's sax, and the ensemble playing is superb. It is immediately apparent that the quality of the compositions, all but one by Marsalis, is outstandingly high. All of the compositions sound excellent especially "Trieste" and "A Thousand Autumns".

Marsalis has managed to create music which is truly expansive and original (at least to my ears) and which has a natural flow and progression. The musicians are excellent; of particular note is Kenny Kirkland who makes a strong contribution to the production. In addition the quality of the recording is high.

I cannot recommend this music highly enough. Just go and buy it!

The Branford Marsalis qquartet comes into their own
How sad that this is the last recording of Branford's quartet, when it is easily their best and shows all the earmarks of a band with the potential to get even better. I've questioned Branford's depth as an improvisor in the past, but no more - at times here, he sounds as amazing as Joe Henderson in his prime. Kirkland always was a beautiful, profound musician, and this album is just one more painful reminder of what a loss he is to the world of jazz and music in general. And, let's not forget Jeff Watts - his drumming alone on this album would be reason enough to buy it. I agree that this is definitely a contender for the best jazz album of the year.

a beautiful culmination of one of jazz's greatest quartets.
I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Marsalis and his inspiring Quaret in Calgary a month before Kenny's passing. The songs on "Requiem" are a sample of the incredibly challenging music they had performed on this tour. Without question, I think the symbionic level of group interaction on this recording outshines anything I have heard from any Marsalis outing. The fact that it is comprised of first takes is a testament to the level of musicianship we are dealing with here. This is easily my favourite CD of 1999.