Live at the Village Vanguard

Christian McBride & Inside Straight

Released on 11/26/21 by Mack Avenue Records
Main artists: Inside Straight Christian McBride
Genre: Jazz

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Undeterred by having already released an album called Live at the Village Vanguard in 2015, albeit with a trio, force-of-nature bassist Christian McBride has decided to give it another go under the same title as the earlier Grammy-winning set. McBride is powered by obvious musical gifts and a big personality that revels in promoting his many ventures: he runs a jazz school in New Jersey with his wife—jazz singer Mellisa Walker and leads five different jazz groups, including a trio, big band, the New Jawn, the edgier DJ-led ensemble Christian McBride Situation, and Inside Straight—the band heard here. The biggest difference between the two albums, both recorded during the same two-week stand at the storied NYC West Village club in 2014, is that unlike the earlier set list which included jazzified renditions of mainstream pop tunes like Rod Temperton's "The Lady in My Life," (famous as part of Michael Jackson's Thriller) and Motown producer Norman Whitfield's theme to the film Car Wash, all the tunes on this new album are composed either by McBride or a member of Inside Straight. Well-played, hard-driving post-bop with plenty of room for solos by all is the method. On top of a solid rhythm section of McBride and drummer Carl Allen, virtuoso vibraphone player Warren Wolf is a breath of fresh talent accenting every tune but shining brightest in a pair of his originals including the long, propulsive "Gang Gang" where his speed and natural lyricism combine with Allen's bravura performance for the album's standout piece. In his composition "Fair Hope" McBride has a long solo that once again excels at dexterity and musicality. Generally thought of as an alto saxophonist, Steve Wilson leads a take of his moody tribute to poet Maya Angelou, "Ms. Angelou" on soprano sax. The boxing-themed, fast-paced closer "Stick & Move" is kicked off by McBride, with pianist Peter Martin taking the first solo before handing back off McBride who quotes "Old Macdonald Had a Farm," for a playful, crowd-pleasing conclusion. McBride has successfully taken his instrument out of the rhythm section and into the spotlight—no small feat. Another solid outing, this time with a lesser known setlist, from a player bent on stardom. © Robert Baird/Qobuz

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Live at the Village Vanguard

Christian McBride

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