EW's GRADE
A

Details Release Date: Mar 06, 2007; Lead Performance: Wynton Marsalis; Genre: Jazz

Jazz's reigning statesman Wynton Marsalis sounds enraged, speaking with more than his trumpet. His forthright lyrics on From the Plantation to the Penitentiary, sung by Jennifer Sanon, take on racism, poverty, and greed within sophisticated quintet arrangements. His rapping on ''Where Y'all At?'' has awkward moments, but his message and soloing are well honed. A

Originally posted Mar 30, 2007 Published in issue #928 Apr 06, 2007 Order article reprints

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