SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET – THE SECRET BETWEEN THE SHADOW AND THE SOUL

Branford Marsalis Quartet
The Secret Between The Shadow And The Soul
OKeh Records/Marsalis Music

The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul is the Branford Marsalis Quartets’ followup to 2012’s Four MFs Playin’ Tunes, their last quartet-only album. In the intervening years, the quartet has taken time to explore influences, delve into collaborations, and continue their pursuit of new modern jazz.

Opening with “Dance of the Evil Toys” by established bassist Eric Revis, the quartet wastes no time diving into cacophony and free improvisation. “Dance of the Evil Toys” is a brilliantly hectic way to start an album that carries hints of Ornette Coleman and other free jazz pioneers.

Further into the album the bandleader’s own “Life Filtering From the Water Flowers”, showcases cleverly textured instrumentation with poignant yet restrained saxophone riffs floating delicately above luscious accompanying by pianist Joey Calderazzo and detailed percussion from drummer Justin Faulkner. “Life Filtering From the Water Flowers” sits nicely within the album as a ruminative tribute to Marsalis’ late mother, Dolores Marsalis.

Taken in its entirety, The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul is an inventive and enjoyable listen that features some pleasant moments of free jazz. This album serves as an example of why the Branford Marsalis Quartet has been so highly regarded for the past three decades.

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