Buckshot Lefonque is a project headed and produced by Branford Marsalis. They made, to my knowledge, one album, named Music Evolution. One album and still their name is known across the world. Of course because of the huge hit Another day. But the album has far more to offer than just their two singles, the title track Music evolution being the other.
Made by some extremely talented young musicians and performers, the album consists of a blend of very different styles of music: hip hop, jazz, pop, rock and some ballads. In true hip hop-style they even have some interludes.
My personal story is as follows. The first time I heard Another day I was completely surprised. Such musical talent, such great vocals. I immediately fell in love with the song. I bought the single and played it every day for six months. Then my interest faded a little and I put the single away. Until about a year ago. I was talking to a friend of mine who plays the saxophone and we were discussing music. She said that ever since she heard Another day she wanted to play the soprano saxophone. And that she forgot the name of the band that made the song. I said I had the single at home and gave it to her (who can say no to a beautiful woman?) I began my search for the album that contained the song. More than 10 months later I found it. And without listening to it, I bought it. First time I played it, I was a bit disappointed. Not every song was as good as Another day. But now, after hearing it some more, I’m beginning to appreciate it very much.
1. Here we go again (2:26)
Saxophone, programming: Branford Marsalis;
Percussion: Rocky Bryant;
Wheels o’ steels: DJ Apollo.
Beginning the album in true hip hop-fashion it starts with some samples taken from “How many emcee’s”, scratched by DJ Apollo and Bryant laying down the beat. Soft play by Marsalis on the background gives the song it’s urban jazz feel.
2. Music Evolution (4:59)
Saxophone: Branford Marsalis;
Vocals: 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier;
Acoustic bass: Reginald Veal;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett;
Piano: Joey Calderazzo;
Trumpet: Russel Gunn;
Percussion: Mino Cinelu;
Wheel o’ steel: DJ Apollo.
Being one the two singles of this album, the style to this song is very accessible. The lyrics are about the similarities of jazz and hip hop, both being underrated genres in music. It’s especially apparent in the statement that ends the song:
Change
Strange
This
That
Jazz
Rap
Because it’s an ill format
Beginning with bass on an a-symmetrical rhythm, with vocals and percussion blending in. Saxophone comes in together with the first chorus. The trumpet forms the bridge to the finale which consists of the chorus played five times.
3. Wasineveritis (0:15)
Vocals: Branford Marsalis, 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier.
Short interlude.
4. James Brown (part I & II) (4:56)
Tenor saxophone, drum programming: Branford Marsalis;
Alto saxophone: David Sanborn;
Drums: Rocky Bryant;
Bass: Reggie Washington;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett;
Trumpet: Russel Gunn;
Trombone: John Touchy;
Screamin’ n’ shouting: “Hey Man” Jefferson;
Wheels o’ steel: DJ Apollo.
Instrumental piece about the soul of James Brown. Part I consists of a question and answering game between tenor and alto saxophone. Starting of with drums putting on the beat, the saxophones take over with .brass to “referee” the game. Great play of both soloists.
Part II is opened by DJ Apollo and “Hey Man” Jefferson. Then the saxophones take over again for a very soulful couple of minutes.
5. Another day (3:34)
Saxophone, drum programming: Branford Marsalis;
Keyboards, vocals: Frank McComb;
Bass: Will Lee;
Concert master: Carol Webb Sortomme;
Violins: Barry Finclair, John Pintavalle, Donna Tecco;
Violas: Sue Pray, Julian Barber;
Cello: Richard Locker.
Great song and not much has to be said about this one. The vocal talents of Mr. Frank McComb take us through various emotions of love, despair and hope. Just the first four lines say it all:
Another day
Staring out of my window
Thinkin' 'bout tomorrow
Wishing things would clear
All perfectly colored by the band, with string section and of course Branford Marsalis’ superb saxophone play.
6. Try these on (5:44)
Saxophone: Branford Marsalis;
Vocals: 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier;
Percussion: Rocky Bryant;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett;
Wheels o’ steel: DJ Apollo;
Keyboard, drum programming: Branford Marsalis, Rocky Bryant.
Mostly instrumental, the song starts out with piano and bass with saxophone cutting in for the melody. DJ Apollo scratches in some samples from “Method man” and 50 Styles rapping a few verses toward the end of the song, but not before a great bridge by Marsalis and Bryant, on keyboard this time.
7. A buckshot rebuttal (0:23)
Vocals: Branford Marsalis, 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier.
Short interlude with a finale bordering on the parental advisory.
8. My way (doin’ it) (4:08)
Vocals: 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier;
Spoken word: Laurence Fishburne;
Drums: Rocky Bryant;
Bass: Reggie Washington;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett;
Wheels o’steel: DJ Apollo;
Background vocals: Rob (Wacko!) Hunter.
This is the rock song on the album. Ahead of its time with this mix of rap and rock. The band is formed as so many bands nowadays. Lead singer/rapper, guitar, bass, drums and DJ. Not very deep in the lyrics department, again ahead of its time ;)! But with a surprising guest appearance by Laurence “Morpheus” Fishburne.
9. Better than I am (5:02)
Saxophone, drum programming: Branford Marsalis;
Keyboards, vocals: Frank McComb;
Drums: Rocky Bryant;
Bass: Reggie Washington;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett;
Percussion: Mino Cinelu;
Concert master: Carol Webb Sortomme;
Violins: Melanie Baker, Sandra Billingslea, Barry Finclair, Cecilia Hobbs-Gardner, Paul Peabody, John Pintaville, Marti Sweet, Donna Tecco;
Violas: Sue Pray, Julien Barber, Alfred Brown, Crystal Garner, Carol Landon, Rebecca Young;
Cello: Richard Locker, Diane Barere, Mark Orrin Shuman, Ellen Westermann;
Strings arranged and conducted by B. Marsalis.
Sweet love song sung again by Frank McComb, but doesn’t have the same impact as Another day. The lyrics aren’t as meaningful. Very large orchestration, bit too large, because much of the refinement of the arrangement is lost by the sheer number of violins etc.
Better than I am
I’m better than I am
Though I’ll never know why you left this way
I’ll try to understand
‘Cause the moment you were in my life
Made me better than I am
10. Paris is burning (0:26)
Vocals: Branford Marsalis, 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier.
Interlude.
11. Jungle Grove (4:45)
Saxophone: Branford Marsalis;
Drums: Rocky Bryant;
Acoustic bass: Ben Wolfe;
Keyboards: Joey Calderazzo;
Percussion: Minu Cinelu;
Trumpet: Russel Gunn;
Trombone: Delfeayo Marsalis;
Wheels o’ steel: DJ Apollo.
Very fast and up tempo piece. Great cooperation by brass and saxophone. Fast scale-like figures up and down, accompanied by keyboard and drums / percussion. Then saxophone, trombone and trumpet take turns for solos. Keyboards squeezes in a solo for the big finale.
12. Weary with toil (5:00)
Saxophone, keyboard, drum programming: Branford Marsalis;
Vocals: Tess;
Bass: Reggie Washington;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett;
Percussion: Minu Cinelu;
Trumpet: Russel Gunn.
Like the title implies, a very dragging slow rhythm taken up by percussion. Lyrics are more spoken than sung and colored by muted trumpet and saxophone solos.
13. Black Monday (5:54)
Saxophone: Branford Marsalis;
Vocals: 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier;
Guest vocals: G.U.R.U.
Percussion: Rocky Bryant;
Keyboard programming: Matthew Becker;
Acoustic Bass: Eric Revis.
The song is opened by 50 Styles and G.U.R.U. with short statements and then taken over by saxophone for a long solo. Then the rappers do their “thang”.
We must be willin’ to stop the killin’
‘Cause if not
We’ll destroy what our forefathers were building
[…]
Reconciliation, restoration and resolution
Atonement
Completion of perfect union
Black Monday
14. Phoenix (6:06)
Saxophone, drum programming: Branford Marsalis;
Keyboards, vocals: Frank McComb;
Drums: Rocky Bryant;
Acoustic bass: Ben Wolfe;
Guitar: L. Carl Burnett.
Slow blues. With a very good vocal performance by McComb. The lyrics are about the breakup between two people and the alienation that occurs right before and after the breakup.
But:
It’s time to say
My heart will rise again
I will rise again
15. Samba hop (3:53)
Saxophone, programming: Branford Marsalis;
Vocals: 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier;
Piano: Joey Calderazzo;
Trumpet: Russel Gunn;
Trombone Delfeayo Marsalis;
Wheels o’ steel DJ Apollo.
The song starts with a standard samba rhythm but is formed by the scratches (“Paid in full”) of DJ Apollo into a hip hop song. The bridge is by piano and saxophone.
Even if it’s jazz in the quiet storm
Bebop converted in the hip hop form
16. …And we out (6:42)
Modern jazz-piece. Opening is a sweet set of chords by keyboard, then the rhythm is set by the brass section. The rest is filled by solos. One by piano and the rest by the various saxophone Marsalis is able to play.
This is a great album if you like many different styles of music. I’d like to see some more albums by Buckshot Lefonque, but to the best of my knowledge, there aren’t any. Of course is Another day by far the best song on the CD, but the rest of the songs are good too. If you like the instrumental parts, you’ll play it over and over again. If you’re not into those, you’ll probably won’t like this album very much.
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