Branford Marsalis Quartet - Footsteps Of Our Fathers

The abiding concern of the Marsalis brothers has always been that jazz be recognised as the classical music of black culture. Thus it's only natural the first release on their own label should be this homage to classic pieces by four jazz modernists: Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and John Lewis. The scope is ambitious (Rollins' "The Freedom Suite", Coltrane's "A Love Supreme") and the approach intense. Music to admire, perhaps, more than enjoy.

Rating: 4 / 10