Jaimie Branch Fly or Die Series: 1,2,&Live

Rating: all three 5/5 and 5/5 as an artist

Genre: Jazz

Available in full on Spotify & Bandcamp

To me the the four most exciting names in the world of jazz of the past five or so years are Mary Halvorson, Susana Santos Silva, Matana Roberts, and Jaimie Branch . All of them play, for the most part within the framework of established traditions, forging ahead in the damn near impossible task of making a mark in the crowded world of jazz. And not just crowded but crowded with the most talented musicians in the western sphere. Silva branches the furthest into a contemporary classical sound (sometimes) and Halvorson into pop (sometimes) but all of these women mostly set up camp in or around the free. With Branch maybe being least indulging of the atonality of freedom of the four. Branch is a powerhouse energetic force. I have no reason to compare her to Cecil Taylor except that it’s that kind of aggressive energy. She lights a fire but she doesn’t use rocknroll tricks to get there. It’s pure jazz. This series really put her on the map, or at least my map. I put the entire trilogy on one playlist and take it all in in one fell swoop. I am, however, glad it’s separated into three independent works of art. Pieces I could swallow at the get. Anthony Braxton released a twelve hour thing. I know it’s Braxton but damn folk people got jobs and shit. Anyway, Fly or Die, a choice I feel like we’ve all had to make over these past five years and might have to do again too fucking soon is crucial listening. If you’re not down with this you’re not up current on jazz. This is essential.