Alfredo Colón - Blood Burden (2024)

Blood Burden is the debut album from Brooklyn-based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Alfredo Colón. Deeply rooted in the blues tradition, Alfredo brings harrowingly raw emotion in the form of barely-contained chaos to Blood Burden — a meditation on the interplay of Dominican folklore and Catholic imagery and ethos, and an ode to his immediate family members in the face of intergenerational trauma.

Recorded at Figure 8 studios in New York with Lex Korton on piano, Steve Williams on bass, and Connor Parks on drums, Blood Burden perfectly balances Alfredo’s own artistic vision with the distinct sonic languages of each of his band members—from Lex’s sensitive and subtle, yet dynamic storytelling, to Steve’s rhythmic intricacy and playful tests of his bandmates’ ability to think on their feet, to Connor’s lush, interactive, and oftentimes explosive drumming. With this, it becomes more than clear that Alfredo composes with his bandmates serving as crucial inspiration.

Each track on Blood Burden serves as a vulnerable and provocative exploration of the pain Alfredo’s family carries, and how they navigate their pain through faith and doubt. Through his distinct sound and sensitive songwriting, Alfredo communicates with familial ghosts, embracing those that serve him and rejecting those that demand too much from him.

Alfredo Colón - Alto Saxophone
Lex Korten - Piano, Klavins Una Corda (tracks 3,4,7)
Steve Williams - Upright Bass
Connor Parks - Drums

All tracks, except track 5, written by Alfredo Colon.
Track 5 written by Son House.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Alfredo Colón - V.M.C.S. (4:55)
1.02 - Alfredo Colón - Our Simplest Office Clerk (7:45)
1.03 - Alfredo Colón - Saint Lucy (1:32)
1.04 - Alfredo Colón - Santo (5:31)
1.05 - Alfredo Colón - Grinnin’ In Your Face (6:03)
1.06 - Alfredo Colón - Our Armor (4:32)
1.07 - Alfredo Colón - St. Lucy (1:32)
1.08 - Alfredo Colón - Doomknocker (6:24)