Branford Marsalis Quartet – Belonging (2025)

It’s arguable whether an essential record like Belonging (ECM, 1974) by the late, great pianist Keith Jarrett truly needs a full reinterpretation, but saxophonist Branford Marsalis takes on the challenge without straying far from the original themes and feel. If anyone is equipped to explore Jarrett’s legacy, it’s certainly Marsalis, joined here by his stellar working quartet—pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner.

A strong sense of empathy permeates the ensemble, and they deliver a dazzlingly kinetic take on “Spiral Dance”, highlighted by exceptional solos from Calderazzo, flawless in both intonation and phrasing, Marsalis, who thrives in motifs and chromatic shifts, and Revis, who sings out melodies with breathtaking beauty. “Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” feels like a jazz-folk-infused pop song, enriched with bluesy elegance. The piece receives special treatment here, building into an intense crescendo fueled by Marsalis’ fiery saxophone lines, which flow with remarkable fluidity. Calderazzo, too, impresses, navigating harmonic turns with nuanced detail.

Another tour de force, “The Windup”, carries the lively spirit of a country-folk parade, tinged with playful burlesque and manic intensity. Marsalis is at his most animated, his vigorous playing recalling the soulful explosions of Kenny Garrett. The rubato ballads “Blossom”, “Belonging”, and “Solstice” round out the program, painting sonic landscapes of longing and serenity.

This sharply focused quartet brings ample vision and improvisatory flair to every track, making for a bold yet rewarding venture. In a record that carries undeniable risk, Marsalis and his band ultimately pull off a gutsy triumph. He dedicates the album to the memories of recently departed jazz luminaries Benny Golson, Lou Donaldson, Roy Haynes, and Russell Malone.

foobar2000 v2.24.2 / DR Meter v0.9
log date: 2025-03-29 17:32:16

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Analyzed: Branford Marsalis / Belonging
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR9 -0.35 dBFS -11.40 dBFS 8:21 01-Spiral Dance
DR11 -0.35 dBFS -14.82 dBFS 11:02 02-Blossom
DR8 -0.35 dBFS -10.09 dBFS 8:56 03-‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours
DR10 -0.35 dBFS -15.58 dBFS 7:35 04-Belonging
DR8 -0.35 dBFS -9.58 dBFS 12:41 05-The Windup
DR9 -0.35 dBFS -14.94 dBFS 14:19 06-Solstice
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Number of tracks: 6
Official DR value: DR9

Samplerate: 96000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 2835 kbps
Codec: FLAC