Branker, Anthony & Word Play / Uppity
Album: Uppity   Collection:Jazz
Artist:Branker, Anthony & Word Play   Added:Apr 2013
Label:Origin Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2013-04-21 Pull Date: 2013-06-23 Charts: Jazz
Week Ending: Jun 16 Jun 9 Jun 2 May 19 May 12 May 5 Apr 28
Airplays: 1 1 1 2 2 4 3

Recent Airplay
1. Aug 03, 2017: No Cover, No Minimum
Dance Like No One Is Watching
4. Apr 18, 2014: No Cover, No Minimum
Dance Like No One Is Watching
2. Dec 01, 2016: No Cover, No Minimum
Dance Like No One Is Watching
5. Jun 14, 2013: No Cover, No Minimum
Dance Like No One Is Watching
3. Nov 17, 2016: No Cover, No Minimum
Dance Like No One Is Watching
6. Jun 07, 2013: No Cover, No minimum
Uppity

Album Review
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

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