Trumpeter Jaimie Branch releases highly anticipated ‘Fly or Die II’ on International Anthem
Longtime Chicago jazz scene veteran, and newly residing New York City-based trumpeter and composer Jamie Branch follows-up her breakthrough and highly acclaimed 2017 debut Fly Or Die with a new brilliant full-length album on International Anthem titled, Fly Or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise.
This much anticipated album, Branch continues to push her sound forward while making a strong statement about the current disturbing times politically in the United States. We see her stepping out as a vocalist for the first time on the powerful anti-Trump/ anti-racism track “Prayer for Amerikkka pt.1 and 2”, as well as the album’s equally moving closer “Love Song (for Assholes & Clowns)”. Musically, their is a perfect balance of tension and calming moments that help speak to the country’s current climate of frustration, anger, and yet hopefulness that many of us are experiencing. Similar to her debut, the session often blends folk and earthy tones, with complex melodies and rhythms, all with Branch’s trumpet leading the way.
Mostly written and recorded in the studio at Total Refreshment Centre, and live at Café OTO in London while the band were making their first European tour in 2018, the recording features branch on trumpet, voice and synths, cellist Lester St. Louis, bassist Jason Ajemian, and drummer/ percussionist Chad Taylor. The album also features a number of special guests including Ben LaMar Gay and Marvin Tate adding vocals, and Matt Schneider playing 12-string guitar on “Prayer for Amerikkka pt.1 and 2”, while Scott McNiece adding the egg shaker, and Dan Bitney playing the synth and providing additional percussion on what might possibly be the album’s most standout track in “Nuevo Roquero Estéreo”.
With Fly or Die II, Jamie Branch continues to make her mark as one of the most forward-thinking and adventurous musicians of her generation, creating thought-provoking music that speaks directly to today’s current challenging times.
Jamie Branch — ‘Fly or Die II: Bird Dogs of Paradise’
(International Anthem)
- birds of paradise
- prayer for amerikkka pt. 1 & 2
- lesterlude
- twenty-three n me, jupiter redux
- whales
- simple silver surfer
- bird dogs of paradise
- nuevo roquero estéreo
- love song
