Jaimie Branch’s FLY or DIE II: bird dogs of paradise was originally released in the fall of 2019, a follow up to her stellar debut FLY or DIE released the year prior. Here we have a brand new reissue from International Anthem’s 11th Anniversary Editions.
Branch’s next record, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)), was to be her last, completed a month after her untimely death. All told, these albums were a bright flash of light mixing jazz, blues, message and more into a fresh searing style that still sounds vital.
The real treat from this new reissue comes in the IA11 edition LP Bundle – Drop #4 package:
The IA11 Edition of FLY or DIE II: bird dogs of paradise comes on classic black 140-gram vinyl LP (pressed at Pallas in Germany, with lacquers cut by Daniel K at SST) inside a heavyweight reverse-board jacket, with a 16-page 11×11″ insert booklet featuring previously-unpublished photos, two sets of new liner notes – the first by jaimie’s mom, Soledad “Sally” Branch, as told to Kate Branch, and the second by Fly or Die bassist Jason Ajemian – plus IARC 2025 obi strip and printed poly-lined printed inner-sleeve.
The 11-minute track “prayer for amerikkka pt 1 & 2” includes Branch on vocals with lyrics that set the album’s tone:
We’ve got a bunch of wide eye racists
They’re coming for your wallets, while their diggin in your paychecks
We’ve got a bunch of wide eye racists
And they think they run this shit
She was only 19, they crossed over at dawn
Now her mother and brothers are safe in Chicago and she is all alone
What is distance? What is time? What is fear? What is family?
What is love when is all just a memory in solitude?
This is a warning honey, oh
This is a warning honey, oh they’re coming for you
Both vinyl versions come with a 24/96 download that includes the bonus track “nuevo roquero estéreo (Roberto Carlos Lange remix) [digital-only bonus track]” so there’s more than something for everyone.