Branford Marsalis Quartet Belonging
Branford Marsalis Quartet's Belonging greets Keith Jarrett's repertoire with reverent energy and crisp collective focus, offering a tribute that critics call both faithful and vividly communicative. Across professional reviews the record earned a 79/100 consensus score from two reviews, and reviewers consistently point to the lyrical warmth of “Blossom”, the conversational momentum of “Spiral Dance”, and the tonal clarity on “Solstice” and “Belonging” itself.
Critics note contrasting dynamics throughout the collection, where burnished soprano lines and chamber-like restraint sit beside moments of dense interaction and improvisational risk. The Observer highlights quieter, less abrasive phrasing and Joey Calderazzo's subtler chordal shading on “As Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” and “Blossom”, framing the album as celebration rather than reinvention. Glide Magazine emphasizes audio clarity and collective interplay, arguing that the best songs on Belonging feel like lived-in conversations that reward repeated listening.
While both reviews praise the quartet's faithfulness to Jarrett's spirit, critics also credit the band with finding room for fresh lyricism and dramatic momentum within familiar material. The consensus suggests Belonging stands as a respectful, musically detailed statement in Marsalis's catalog - not a radical departure, but a richly executed homage that showcases improvisation, ensemble empathy, and tracks that emerge as clear highlights. For readers asking whether Belonging is worth hearing, the professional reviews point to its standout performances and thoughtful production as reasons to listen further.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours
1 mention
"It remains a towering piece, with Marsalis faithfully following Garbarek’s mid-solo acrobatics"— The Observer (UK)
Blossom
2 mentions
"The group explore lyrical pieces such as Blossom with equal aplomb"— The Observer (UK)
Spiral Dance
2 mentions
"Listen to Spiral Dance by the Branford Marsalis Quartet"— The Observer (UK)
It remains a towering piece, with Marsalis faithfully following Garbarek’s mid-solo acrobatics
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Spiral Dance
Blossom
‘Long As You Know You’re Living Yours
Belonging
The Windup
Solstice
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
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Critic's Take
Branford Marsalis Quartet approaches Belonging as a courteous tribute, attentive to Keith Jarrett's originals and their joyous spirit. Spencer praises the renditions of “As Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” and “Blossom” as faithful and lyrically assured, noting Marsalis’s less abrasive tone and Joey Calderazzo’s subtler chords. He singles out “Spiral Dance” and “Solstice” for their burnished soprano and chamber-like poise, framing the album as celebration rather than reinvention. The result answers searches for the best tracks on Belonging by pointing listeners to those melodic, joyous highlights.
Key Points
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The best song is “As Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” because the reviewer calls it a "towering piece" and praises Marsalis’ faithful acrobatics.
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The album’s core strength is its respectful, lyrical celebration of Keith Jarrett’s originals rather than radical reinvention.
Themes
Critic's Take
In this review Doug Collette hears a quartet that reimagines Keith Jarrett’s material with uncommon empathy. Branford Marsalis and his band on Belonging make their best tracks - notably “Spiral Dance” and “Blossom” - feel like lived-in conversations rather than mere renditions. Collette praises the musicianship and audio detail, noting how the group channels intensity through dense interactions and lucid soloing. The result is an album whose best songs reward repeated listening for their combination of finesse and dramatic momentum.
Key Points
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“Spiral Dance” is the best track for its relentless rhythmic workout and seamless collective improvisation.
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The album’s core strengths are its lucid musicianship, intimate audio quality, and the quartet’s conversational interplay.