Christian McBride

Bassist Christian McBride leads a new ensemble, Inside Straight, on an intense continuation of the kind of Blue Note, post-Kind of Blue sound practiced by the likes of Herbie Hancock and Bobby Hutcherson. Veterans Eric Reed (piano), Steve Wilson (sax) and Carl Allen (drums) join newcomer Warren Wolf, Jr. (vibes), who gets ample solo time. There's a fine tribute to Cedar Walton, with McBride backing Reed cello-style, on "Where Are You?" the sole standard on this top-shelf release.