While I've kept close tabs on Butcher Brown since the release of King Butch (2020), I was surprised to find out that their new record, Letters From The Atlantic, marks a special milestone in the career of the Virginia quintet. It blows my mind that these guys have created 10 records and still manage to outdo themselves. The follow-up to their Solar Music (which had a prominent spot on our Best Albums of 2023 list) deserves all the recognition it's been getting in the first weeks of its release.
The crew, made up of DJ Harrison (keys), Corey Fonville (drums), Andrew Randazzo (bass), Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney (trumpet, sax, and vocals), and Morgan Burrs (guitar), announced the album with the short but firm "we sound as if we’ve grown up". The album is an homage to the global groove sound and a not-very-surprising evidence for the level of musicianship reached by the collective mind created by the 5-piece.
Featuring a plethora of collaborators, like Yaya Bey, Melanie Charles, Leanor Wolf, Mia Gladstone, Victoria Victoria, along with Nicholas Payton and Neal Francis, the album is bold, energizing, calm, romantic, enjoyable, vibrant, and nostalgic at the same time.
Kicking things off, I want to shine a spotlight on one of my current favorite tracks, "Right Here", featuring the enigmatic Swiss duo Leanor Wolf. Their sound is this irresistible mix of electronica, pop, and the kind of alt textures that make contemporary music so exciting right now. What really clicks for me is how their electronic roots mesh seamlessly with the kinetic energy of Butcher Brown - it's a collision that feels effortless. Moments like this are what make the album feel so versatile, constantly shifting and surprising without ever losing its groove.
Another interesting one (to me, at least) is "Dinorah Dinorah". One of those tracks that took me a while to fall in love with, but when I did, oh boy. As I am writing this while enjoying a scenic train ride, I find myself constantly pressing the repeat button on that track. I love how it progresses towards the middle and the jazz ensemble energy towards the end.
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The album effortlessly moves between high-octane, skillful jazz bursts and these silky, laid-back grooves, really putting the Richmond 5's versatility on full display. It’s the kind of record that keeps you guessing in the best way—never staying in one lane, always keeping the ear intrigued.
I bet Butcher Brown's band members will end up being cited as some of the most prolific jazz contemporaries of our generation, and that record will certainly earn a prime spot on many end-of-year lists.
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