Branford and Wynton Marsalis not so long ago regularly praised kid brother Jason as the family member with the lion's share of the jazz talent. They may be right, given the vitality, originality and technical virtuosity displayed on the second solo disc from the 23-year-old drummer, best known for his work in Los Hombres Calientes and pianist Marcus Roberts' trio.

Ancient, rootsy rhythms, as befitting a skins man schooled in the traditions of New Orleans music, figure prominently in these imaginative post-bop compositions, played by his reorganized quintet, now featuring two saxophonists out front. Derek Douget is on alto and soprano, John Ellis (replacing trumpeter Antonio Gambrell) is on tenor, and the group is rounded out by pianist Jonathan Lefcoski and new bassist Peter Harris.

"Maracatu de Modernizar," built on a northeastern Brazilian dance groove Marsalis picked up while working with the Crescent City band Casa Samba, weaves together a pulsing, rolling beat, harmony lines, a haunting bass figure, and piano comping meant to simulate the agogo, a Brazilian double-pitched bell. Tricky horn figures and leapfrogging rhythm-section parts open up into freewheeling collective improvisation on "It Came From the Planet of Nebtoon," and the drummer demonstrates a deft touch with brushes on the bluesy "The Sweeper" and slinky ballad "Treasure."

Marsalis references Branford's nickname and frequent modus operandi on "The Steepistician," a sparse, dark pianoless trio piece in 5/4 time. The youngest of pianist Ellis Marsalis's four music-playing sons celebrates hometown street-parade traditions on the rousing closer, "Seven-Ay Pocky Way," built on a 7/4 meter and imbued with the second-line funk associated with the Mardi Gras Indians. It's a bracing send-off.
- PHILIP BOOTH