Random Abstract is a jazz album by saxophonist Branford Marsalis recorded August 12–13, 1987, at Sound City Studios in Tokyo, Japan. It peaked at number 6 on the Top Jazz Albums chart.[ Allmusic Guide] It was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1988, Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist (On a Jazz Recording) and Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group.
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states, "Branford Marsalis (on tenor and soprano) and his 1987 quartet ... stretch out on a wide repertoire during this generally fascinating set. Very much a chameleon for the date, Marsalis does close impressions of Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Ornette Coleman, and Jan Garbarek. This is one of Branford Marsalis' most interesting (and somewhat unusual) recordings."Yanow, Scott. [ Allmusic Review] accessed 20 June 2014.
Track listing "Yes and No" (Wayne Shorter) - 6:46 "Crescent City" (Branford Marsalis) - 11:05 "Broadway Fools" (Branford Marsalis) - 9;56 "Lonjellis" (Kenny Kirkland) - 8:13 "I Thought About You" (Johnny Mercer, Jimmy Van Heusen) - 5:42 "Lonely Woman" (Ornette Coleman) - 16:25 "Steep's Theme" (Branford Marsalis) - 0:34 "Yesterdays" (Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach) - 11:03 "Crepuscule with Nellie" (Thelonious Monk) - 4:20
Tracks 8 & 9 on CD only.
Personnel Branford Marsalis – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone Kenny Kirkland – grand piano Lewis Nash – drums Delbert Felix – bass
Production George Butler – executive producer Delfeayo Marsalis – producer, editing, liner notes Tomoo Suzuki – engineer Hitoshi Endo – second engineer Yoshimitsu Kubota – assistant engineer Patrick Smith – mixing William McNeil – mix assistant Bernie Grundman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California) Takayuki Yamaguchi – piano tuning and technician Arnold Levine – art direction Ruth Martin – cover artwork Jon Kabira – logistics coordinator, translation Riko Hayakawa – logistics coordinator, translation
References
External links BranfordMarsalis.com