One of jazz's most intriguing young(er) talents, New York trumpeter Branch has already released two splendid, politically-charged albums – Fly or Die and Bird Dogs Of Paradise: Fly or Die II – on International Anthem, as well as collaborating with a diverse array of jazz and rock/alternative musicians. But it is as a live performer that she comes into her own. A powerful and charismatic force of nature, I saw her in London in 2018 and 2019, and both those gigs were among the highlights of my jazz year.

So it's heartening to see that Branch and her brilliant band's live lightning has been bottled on an in-conert album. Taped just prior to the pandemic in Zurich, it features material from the first FoD album, as well as its recently-released follow-up. By the time of the recording, Branch and her band had reached that perfect point when the material had been honed to near-perfection but had not yet become overly familiar; and even better, this isn't just a presentation or recreation of two albums in a different (non-studio) environment, it's an organic dialogue with them – so new ideas bubble up spontaneously and the band run with them.

Branch herself is as impressive as you'd expect, all fiery blowing and lightning-sharp horn stabs, but the rest of the band are just as good. Drummer Taylor lays down some mighty grooves, but also engages in inspirational interplay with whoever is soloing. His meshing with cellist St. Louis and bassist Ajemian is just thrilling.

The Swiss are supposedly a sober people, but this record smashes that stereotype – the Zurich audience whoop and cheer, not just for the music, but also for Branch's onstage pronouncements on fascism, racism, apathy, and a certain (now departed) White House occupant during the epic ‘Prayer for Amerikkka.‘ Who says politics and music can't mix?