My Kind Of Blues

MAINSTREAM JAZZ COMBO

Lee Smith is a veteran Philly-based session bass player (Mongo Santamaria, Odean Pope, others) and Christian McBride’s dad. The unusual ensemble here includes trumpet, soprano sax, flute, piano and drums. Some tracks tend toward pop, but the record is a good listen.

All instrumental. No FCC issues.

1 * Mid-tempo to fast. Energetic. Beginning & end have trumpet & flute trading a soulful song-like melody. Middle is a livelier bridge led by soprano sax. (5:33)
2 * Mid-tempo. Swingin’ toe-tapping number. Trumpet & soprano sax trade leads.Strong, steady rhythm by piano, bass, drums. Midway, there’s an extended bass solo. (6:57)
3 Mid-tempo. Elevator Muzak rendition of a 60s R&B (Delfonics) hit. Just ghastly. (5:29)
4 Slow. Melancholy ballad on bowed bass, backed by quiet piano, flute, brushes. (7:23)
5 * Mid-fast. Flute, bass and lots of Latin perc featured on fun, festive number. (5:01)
6 Mid-fast. Flute and soprano sax take long choruses. Long bass solo in middle. (5:48)
7 Mid-fast. By now, I’m tiring of joyous, pretty pop melodies on the flute.  (6:25)
8 ** Mid-fast. First section is bass with responses by the band. Then a section of long solos by sopr sax, trumpet, bass, piano. Repeats opening theme. Soulful, happy number. (8:29)