One might assume that bassist Christian McBride's CD Kind of Brown would be a tribute to Ray Brown. Au contraire -- in fact, it would be appropriate for this recording to own up to the title Kind of Blue Note, because this music bears a strong resemblance to the late-'60s to mid-'70s recordings of the legendary Bobby Hutcherson-Harold Land quintet. That seminal post-bop ensemble defined the mid-period Blue Note label sound, and created resonant sonic signposts that remained unequaled, until now. A new discovery in vibraphonist Warren Wolf, Jr., teamed with veteran saxophonist Steve Wilson, the wonderful pianist Eric Reed, and drummer Carl Allen makes McBride's quintet dubbed Inside Straight into one of the more melodically tuneful and harmonically focused contemporary ensembles combining past tradition with a fresh new approach to this potent style of jazz. McBride is almost an equal in this company, putting aside his furious note playing for a more democratic role in this extraordinarily balanced small combo. The similarities to the Hutcherson-Land group are unmistakable, from the tick-tock rhythm and melodic line similar to Hutch and Herbie Hancock's classic composition Blow Up on Brother Mister to the steady swinger Rainbow Wheel and Pursuit of Peace, with its probing basslines via McBride and perfectly fitted hand-in-glove melody and unison approach. The athletic and quirky Stick and Move is hard-charging bop at its best with Reed leading; soul-jazz is adopted during the waltz Used 'ta Could in parallel to the standard Better Than Anything; while The Shade of the Cedar Tree (for Cedar Walton) is again similar to what Walton and Hutcherson did with the Timeless All Stars, and close to Walton's tune Hindsight. McBride's role as a leader is more pronounced on Theme for Kareem, an ultra-tight, very hip tune that has potential standard written all over it. Wilson concentrates on alto sax, but plays a bit of soprano on the recording for the waltz-to-samba Starbeam; McBride restrains his inclination to play a multiplicity of notes; and Wolf proves to be a new artist to keep a close watch on in the next decade. While Christian McBride has been involved with many amazing recordings during his brief but substantive career, this might be his best batch yet. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi

1		Brother Mister
2		Theme for Kareem
3		Rainbow Wheel
4		Starbeam
5		Used 'Ta Could
6		The Shade of the Cedar Tree
7		Pursuit of Peace
8		Uncle James
9		Stick & Move
10		Where Are You?

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