Uppity

Branker, Anthony & Word Play
Origin Records
Jazz | Apr 2013

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2013-04-21
ANTHONY BRANKER & WORD PLAY: Uppity
Origin, 2013

POSTBOP – Princeton-based composer Branker runs a tightly-knit sextet through some well put-together tunes. Some tracks flirt with a fusion or soul-jazz sound, others are more bop oriented. Ralph Bowen (sax) and Andy Hunter (trombone) have great rapport. A rougher, sharper edge could have made this set stellar, but it’s very nice as-is.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 5

1. 6:05 – uptempo, jabbing riffs; sax/’bone trade off, then electric trio groove
2. 6:38 – very cool layered intro! a soulful laid-back groove; comes full circle
3. 8:24 – solemn ballad with trombone in front; wordless fem vocal adds soul
4. 6:50 – rolling postbop; solos glide easily over strong rhythm, relaxed middle
5. 7:10 – drums are all over this sly, angular piece: sneaky solos & interplay
6. 6:44 – the only flat track: synth undermines an otherwise thoughtful ballad

[ Fo ] - 21 April 2013

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Charting

2013-04-21 — 2013-06-23 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jun 16 1
Jun 9 1
Jun 2 1
May 19 2
May 12 2
May 5 4
Apr 28 3

Track listing

1. Let's Conversate!
2. Dance Like No One Is Watching
3. Three Gifts (From A Nigerian Mother To God)
4. Across The Divide
5. Uppity
6. Ballad For Trayvon Martin