Prime
Mack Avenue, 2023
9/10
The Grammy-Winning bassist and composer Christian McBride is back with his 2nd release under the New Jawn moniker, where the funk and grooves flow in abundance across the 8 rich and dynamic tracks.
“Head Bedlam” gets the listen off to a squealing start, where Josh Evan’s animated trumpet and Nasheet Waits’ furious drumming collide, and “Prime” follows with plenty of rhythm between McBride and Waits that benefits from the soaring brass.
“Obsequious” lands in the middle and really spotlights Marcus Strickland’s tenor saw acrobatics amid the swift delivery, while “Lurkers” brings a low buzzing that allows for McBride’s bass to be manipulated in the haunting album highlight.
Close to the end, the swingin’ grooves of “Dolphy Dust” bounce and shake with a contagious energy, and “East Broadway Rundown” exits with the mesmerizing rhythm section alongside Strickland’s sax and Evans’ trumpet in the textured, adventurous finish.
Hands down some of the best jazz sounds being made today, McBride and company are clearly in their prime, as evidenced by this outstanding and exploratory body of work.
Travels well with: Max Roach- We Insist!; Charles Mingus- Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus