Review of Don Braden’s “Earth Wind and Wonder, Volume 2”

Don Braden has long been a fine journeyman tenor saxophonist, arranger, and composer. His latest album is Earth Wind and Wonder Volume 2 (Creative Perspective Music), a follow-up to 2018’s Earth Wind and Wonder. Braden is the right man to hit the mark with a project like this, which is to make the improbable seem inevitable. He makes a highly persuasive case for these Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder compositions as jazz: there’s the appeal of the catchy melodies, plus the challenge of multiple sections, key changes, and alternating rhythms.

You gain a new appreciation of the complexity of the originals. EW&F’s “In the Stone” alternates between samba and swing, and the quartet locates the drama in the different sections of the piece. “That’s the Way of the World” is an up-tempo swinger, and it should be placed onto more jazz set lists pronto. In this context, the main melody is revealed to be short riffs with some hip blue notes — perfect for a jazz blowing vehicle. EW&F’s “Reasons” has beautiful harmonies, and pianist Miki Hayama discovers even more beneath the surface.

Wonder’s “Master Blaster” starts out sounding like it’s going to be “A Love Supreme,” which is more than a bit incongruous, but it works. Wonders “Bird of Beauty” features Braden on flute. There’s an excellent piano solo from Hayama that kicks up the energy level, and Braden follows through at the conclusion. This is clearly a band playing together in the studio.

I braced myself for Wonder’s “Send One Your Love,” expecting Smooth Jazz at best and schmaltz at worst, but it turns out to be a standout track. Braden makes it sound like something Wayne Shorter would write. Slowed down with a jazz feel and digging into the darker side of the harmonies, it’s moving without being cloying.

Only a few tracks dip into conventionality. “Creepin’” is a lovely and seductive composition, but the chimes and synth strings take it straight to Quiet Stormville. Synth strings appear subtly here and there, unobtrusive but also unnecessary.

Braden is out there gigging, so catch him if you can. His EW&F and Wonder covers are going to make for a fun and swinging show.

(Originally published on the Arts Fuse, June 1, 2023)
https://artsfuse.org/274191/june-short-fuses-materia-critica-3/