Personnel: Branford Marsalis (soprano & tenor saxophones); John Longo (trumpet); Robin Eubanks (trombone); Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Kirkland (piano); Ron Carter, Ray Drummond, Charnett Moffett, Phil Bowler (bass); Marvin Smith, Jeffrey Watts (drums). Recorded at RCA Studio A, New York, New York between April & November 1983. Includes liner notes by A.B. SPellman. Branford Marsalis's debut as a leader is ambitious yet consistently successful. On "Scenes of the City," his narrative is in the same spirit of some of Charles Mingus's recordings of the 1950s. Otherwise the music is in the modern mainstream vein with Marsalis (on tenor and soprano) hinting strongly at Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane, along with a touch of Sonny Rollins. The backup crew includes such notable young lions as pianist Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Kirkland, bassist Charnett Moffett, and drummers Jeff "Tain" Watts and Marvin "Smitty" Smith in addition to bassist Ron Carter. It's an impressive start to a notable career. ~ Scott Yanow

• Genre: Jazz
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 08/03/2015