Breathless
Jazz
| Jul 2015
Reviews
Be Sharp
Reviewed 2015-08-23
Reviewed 2015-08-23
ECLECTIC JAZZ COMBO
Here’s a highly unusual, innovative, and very interesting album by trumpeter Blanchard and his E-Collective. The tracks mash up jazz, rock, R&B, hip hop, and country influences. Sounds impossible, but it works, and it’s great. Tracks 1, 6, and 11 feature singing by PJ Morton (of Maroon 5); track 9 has an astonishing spoken word vocal by Dr. Cornel West.
No FCC issues.
1 *** Mid-fast. Superb re-interpretation of famous Les McCann / Eddie Harris hit. Outstanding trumpet, strong horn-like multi-track singing, funky bass. (5:58)
2 * Mid-slow instrumental. Bluesy but soaring melody on trumpet. Middle half has a gentle and compelling elec guitar lead. (8:52)
3 Slow. Strange & dreamlike feel. Densely layered sounds. Gathers intensity. (14:33)
4 ** Mid-slow. Graceful music; powerful spoken lyrics with civil rights allusions. (4:38)
5 ** Mid-fast fusion. Bass & drums start; trumpet provides a theme; then elec guitar leads most of the way. (8:13)
6 Mid-slow. Soulful ballad with sung vocals. Pessimistic lyric. Sort of a downer. (4:12)
7 * Mid-tempo. Funky soul-jazz with elec guitar & elec piano. Catchy and fun. (6:08)
8 Slow. Peaceful and spiritual. Spoken vocal (by Blanchard?) (3:56)
9 ** Mid-slow. Catchy melody on trumpet. Spoken political criticism (by Cornel West) on current events with an allusion to MLK. (4:04)
10 Fast fusion instrumental. Showy solos on piano & guitar. Furious drumming. (2:48)
11 Slow. Sweet R&B love song. Sung male vocals. (4:28)
12 Mid-tempo instrumental. Big chords punctuate a little melody. Add searing guitar. (5:24)
13 Slow. Late night lullaby. Trumpet with electronic effects. Gentle accompaniment. (4:53)
Here’s a highly unusual, innovative, and very interesting album by trumpeter Blanchard and his E-Collective. The tracks mash up jazz, rock, R&B, hip hop, and country influences. Sounds impossible, but it works, and it’s great. Tracks 1, 6, and 11 feature singing by PJ Morton (of Maroon 5); track 9 has an astonishing spoken word vocal by Dr. Cornel West.
No FCC issues.
1 *** Mid-fast. Superb re-interpretation of famous Les McCann / Eddie Harris hit. Outstanding trumpet, strong horn-like multi-track singing, funky bass. (5:58)
2 * Mid-slow instrumental. Bluesy but soaring melody on trumpet. Middle half has a gentle and compelling elec guitar lead. (8:52)
3 Slow. Strange & dreamlike feel. Densely layered sounds. Gathers intensity. (14:33)
4 ** Mid-slow. Graceful music; powerful spoken lyrics with civil rights allusions. (4:38)
5 ** Mid-fast fusion. Bass & drums start; trumpet provides a theme; then elec guitar leads most of the way. (8:13)
6 Mid-slow. Soulful ballad with sung vocals. Pessimistic lyric. Sort of a downer. (4:12)
7 * Mid-tempo. Funky soul-jazz with elec guitar & elec piano. Catchy and fun. (6:08)
8 Slow. Peaceful and spiritual. Spoken vocal (by Blanchard?) (3:56)
9 ** Mid-slow. Catchy melody on trumpet. Spoken political criticism (by Cornel West) on current events with an allusion to MLK. (4:04)
10 Fast fusion instrumental. Showy solos on piano & guitar. Furious drumming. (2:48)
11 Slow. Sweet R&B love song. Sung male vocals. (4:28)
12 Mid-tempo instrumental. Big chords punctuate a little melody. Add searing guitar. (5:24)
13 Slow. Late night lullaby. Trumpet with electronic effects. Gentle accompaniment. (4:53)
Recent airplay
Breathless
Stand Up! — Feb 03, 2026
Talk To Me
Traditions — Jan 12, 2023
Compared To What
Rebop — Jul 18, 2022
Confident Selflessness
Music Casserole (rebroadcast from Oct 31, 2015) — Sep 11, 2021
Confident Selflessness
Rebop (rebroadcast from Oct 2, 2015) — Sep 09, 2021
Talk To Me
Music Casserole (rebroadcast from Sep 19, 2015) — Aug 07, 2021
Charting
2015-08-28 — 2015-10-30
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Oct 25 | 2 |
| Oct 18 | 1 |
| Oct 11 | 2 |
| Oct 4 | 1 |
| Sep 27 | 1 |
| Sep 20 | 2 |
| Sep 13 | 1 |
| Sep 6 | 2 |
Track listing
| 1. | Compared To What | ||
| 2. | See Me As I Am | ||
| 3. | Everglades | ||
| 4. | Breathless | ||
| 5. | Confident Selflessness | ||
| 6. | Shutting Down | ||
| 7. | Soldiers | ||
| 8. | Samadhi | ||
| 9. | Talk To Me | ||
| 10. | Tom & Jerry | ||
| 11. | I Ain't Got Nothin' But Time | ||
| 12. | Cosmic Warrior | ||
| 13. | Midnight |
