Empire Central cover

Empire Central

Snarky Puppy · 2022

94 min · 16 tracks · jazz fusion

A vibrant fusion of jazz and funk, with intricate rhythms and rich improvisation that challenges traditional boundaries.

Why this album works

'Empire Central' has been critically acclaimed for its bold musicality, receiving recognition from major publications like 'DownBeat' and 'JazzTimes'. It further solidified Snarky Puppy's influence within the modern jazz scene, showcasing their ability to blend genres while retaining artistic integrity.
Best for
dynamic journey with rhythmic peaks headphone detail hunting experience for late-night exploration
Context
Released on September 30, 2022, 'Empire Central' arrived as Snarky Puppy's first studio album since their Grammy-winning 'Immigrance' in 2019. The band continued to evolve their sound, showcasing a deeper exploration of collective improvisation and diverse influences. This album came as they were solidifying their reputation as innovators in contemporary jazz.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Keep It on Your Mind Standout 5:30
  • 2 East Bay 5:11
  • 3 Bet 5:33
  • 4 Cliroy 4:45
  • 5 Take It! Standout 6:39
  • 6 Portal 5:12
  • 7 Broken Arrow 7:19
  • 8 RL’s Standout 9:22

Disc 2

  • 1 Mean Green 4:54
  • 2 Fuel City 4:52
  • 3 Free Fall 3:50
  • 4 Belmont 6:29
  • 5 Pineapple 4:56
  • 6 Honiara 6:50
  • 7 Coney Bear 5:16
  • 8 Trinity 7:54

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata