JAIMIE BRANCH
Fly Or Die Fly Or Die Fly Or Die ((World War)) (International Anthem)
A year ago, there was great sadness when composer and trumpeter Jaimie Branch unexpectedly passed away at the age of 39. Branch, from Chicago, looked to the future at the same time as reflecting on sociopolitical matters, and her innovative formula was also evident with collaborations that included jazz saxophonist David Murray or industrial dub producer Kevin Martin, aka The Bug.
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Fly Or Die Fly Or Die Fly Or Die ((World War)) was recorded last April whilst Branch was artist in residence at the Bemis Centre for Contemporary Art in Omaha. Cellist Lester St. Louis, drummer Chad Taylor and bassist Jason Ajemian all played on the Omaha sessions too. From album opener Aurora Rising via Burning Grey to Take Over The World, there is an aura of life being lived to the full, looking out for each other while despairing at the world we live in, with Branch’s potent and impressive vocals and trumpet playing very much brought to the fore. The sound of a groundbreaking artist pushing her creativity further out there and eradicating boundaries at the same time, this is a contemporary jazz album that really does blow the hinges off the door.
words DAVID NOBAKHT