On a large scale, there is no denying that music can move masses of people to assert themselves and establish a particular vision that will benefit many for years to come. With the release of
Sci-Fi, the highly acclaimed bassist
Christian McBride has established another great realm of music for his fans to explore. Accompanied by the dynamic
Ron Blake on tenor and soprano sax,
Shedrick Mitchell on piano and Fender Rhodes, the great
Herbie Hancock on piano,
Rodney Green on drums,
David Gilmore on electric and acoustic guitar,
Dianne Reeves giving great vocalese on "Lullaby for a Ladybug,"
James Carter on bass clarinet, and the exciting
Toots Thielemans on harmonica, listeners will soon discover that the jazz galaxy will never be the same. The acoustic fusion and thematic sound concept for the CD settled in after
McBride wrote "Science Fiction" and discovered it made a great nucleus for the CD. Featured selections include
McBride's brilliant arrangements of masterworks by
Stanley Clarke,
Sting,
Jaco Pastorius, and
Steely Dan as well as seven original compositions by the versatile leader. Flawless piano grace from
Herbie Hancock on "Xerxes" and "Lullaby for a Ladybug" and
McBride's Fender Rhodes work throughout is a listen to behold. Particularly, the conversation between
McBride's double bass and
Carter's bass clarinet on "Walking on the Moon" shouldn't be missed.
Sci-Fi is a seminal work by seminal artists and may very well be considered one of the most essential jazz recordings of the 21st century. ~ Paula Edelstein