His Name Is Alive: Warn Defever (guitar, piano); Michael Herbst (alto saxophone); Elliot Bergman (tenor saxophone, Fender Rhodes piano); Justin Walter (trumpet); Erik Hall (Wurlitzer organ); Jamie Saltsman (double bass); Dan Piccolo (drums, percussion); Olman Piedra (congas, cajon drums); Jamie Easter (percussion).
An indie-rock band recording an homage to an avant-jazz sax player? Unless the indie band in question is Sonic Youth, that might seem like a curious proposition, but with the help of members of neo-Afrobeat ensembles NOMO and Antibalas, His Name is Alive craft a sophisticated, often contemplative tribute to Marion Brown on SWEET EARTH FLOWER. It all makes sense when you consider the expansive, atmospheric quality that has always been the band's calling card and that serves them in good stead on this project.
Professional Reviews
The Wire (p.59) - "Brown's devotional offerings have been well served by this most unlikely tribute."
Down Beat (p.68) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his is less a cover album than a conjuring and celebration of its honoree's spirit, which may be the highest tribute of all."
JazzTimes (p.82) - "[I]ts inspired and intuitive mastery of the saxophonist's music more than makes it worthwhile."
