Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely brilliant., July 28, 2009
Christian McBride may be a superstar bassist, backing artists as varied and distinguished as Regina Belle Lazy Afternoon, Kathleen Battle, Diana Krall, McCoy Tyner and Sting.
His diverse career has seen him play both electric and acoustic bass, tackle soul jazz, fusion and hip-hop. But he has also forged a substantial career as a bandleader and a charismatic frontman.
His current band called "Inside Straight" marks a back-to-basics return to the sort of straight-ahead, acoustic hard bop that flourished in the Fifties and Sixties.
However, this is no ponderous revival or museum piece. This is a band of the 21st century. Muscular, focused and aggressive, they don't just blow the dust off acoustic jazz - they blast it off.
McBride's new album "Kind of Brown" is dedicated to Freddie Hubbard, the trumpet great who gave him his first New York break. It sees McBride return to the straight-ahead fold with a new quintet. Altoist Steve Wilson, a pillar of the Dave Holland Big Band, shares its frontline with a talented newcomer, vibraphonist Warren Wolf. Drummer Carl Allen and pianist Eric Scott Reed complete a close-knit rhythm section. Beside the leader's originals are two neglected themes by Hubbard and pianist Cedar Walton, plus one standard, "Where Are You".
"One of the most compelling swing-to-bop rhythm players around, McBride has a sturdy acoustic line-up, with the Wynton Marsalis side man Eric Reed at the piano and the underrated Steve Wilson on sax. Some of the tunes, pitched somewhere between hard bop and soul jazz, are functional at best, but the vibes player, Warren Wolf, is a rising star, and on "Uncle James", McBride adds a restrained tribute to James Williams, a fine pianist taken from us far too soon". - Clive Davis
My favourite tracks: "Theme For Kareem", "Rainbow Wheel" and "Pursut Of Peace".
In one word: excellent !
Have a fantastic listening experience!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Near Perfect, July 28, 2009
Start to finish this is a shiney production of straight ahead bop. Its consistency is excellent. No tune is a let down. Those who prefer smooth or commercial jazz will be out of their element. I am reluctant to call this music throw back but it does draw from the best of the 50s and 60s.
This may be the best jazz I have bought this year. Procure this CD and enjoy.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do Not Let the Title Put You Off!, July 26, 2009
No, it is not a remake of Miles Davis's Kind of Blue. It is top notch modern jazz by a group of great musicians. The songwriting is solid, and the recording sounds very good. I highly recommend this CD.
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by Christian McBride 
