Christian McBride Gettin' To It CD

W/C.Chestnut,R.Hargrove, J.Redman

Personnel: Christian McBride, Ray Brown, Milt Hinton (acoustic bass), Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone), Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Turre (trombone), Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Lewis Nash (drums).
Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, New York between August 30 and September 1, 1994. Includes liner notes by Christian McBride.
All songs written by Christian McBride except "Too Close For Comfort" (Jerry Bock/Larry Holofcener/George Weiss), "Splanky" (Neal Hefti), "Stars Fell On Alabama" (Frank Perkins/Mitchell Parish), and "Night Train" (Jimmy Forrest/Oscar Washington/Lewis C. Simpkins).
Personnel: Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugelhorn); Steve Turre (trombone); Cyrus Chestnut (piano); Lewis Nash (drums).
Liner Note Author: Christian McBride.
Recording information: Clinton Recording Studios, Inc., New York, NY (08/30/1994-09/01/1994).
Photographers: James Minchin; Jimmy Katz.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Christian McBride; Milt Hinton; Ray Brown .
McBride had already made his name as an astounding bass sideman when he recorded his first album as a leader, which nailed him as another in the long line of mainstream-minded Young Lions. McBride would shed that tag within a few years when he brought forth his other interests, but for now he headed a series of three- to six-piece bands compromised mostly of somewhat older Young Lions similarly attached to tradition. They're in pretty good form, too -- the tasty Cyrus Chestnut on piano, the growing trumpeter Roy Hargrove, big-toned tenorman Joshua Redman -- and the more experienced trombonist Steve Turre and drummer Lewis Nash complete the personnel. McBride's big, rock-solid tone and melodic agility give his playing the properties of a horn -- at 22, he was a mature master -- yet his ideas as a leader were not yet as imaginative as his bass playing. One exception -- and easily the most entertaining and musical track on the CD -- is the birth on record of McBride's bass trio with mentor Ray Brown and veteran Milt Hinton in "Splanky"; you'd never guess that three unaccompanied bassists could make such sublimely enjoyable music. Another is the title track, whose funky tune and rhythm are audibly inspired by James Brown. Mostly, though, this is a promising but cautious debut. ~ Richard S. Ginell
Christian McBride's debut as a leader, GETTIN' TO IT, serves only to enhance his growing reputation for elegant, exhilarating musicianship, and offers compelling evidence as to why, at only 22, he's well on his way to becoming one of the most frequently recorded bassists since Ron Carter.
The bass features "Splanky" and "Night Train" show what all the excitement is about. The former is a convocation of master players--Milt Hinton's roots extend back to Cab Calloway, while Ray Brown originally emerged as Dizzy Gillespie's teenage bass sensation in the trumpeter's post-World War II band. Together they create a Basie-like blues exchange of four-on-the-floor ideas, and McBride's tone comes across every bit as full and richly detailed as that of his innovative elders. And on "Night Train," a famous blues feature for Jimmy Forrest, McBride's steadfast intonation and vocal phrasing is a marvel for bassists of any age.
In the tradition of Oscar Pettiford and Paul Chambers, McBride often uses his bow to set up a melodic attitude. The perfect examples being the ballads "Too Close For Comfort" and "Stars Fell On Alabama," where his direct uncluttered phrasing keeps the groove center stage, as pianist Cyrus Chestnut and drummer Lewis Nash offer dramatic, understated support. Elsewhere, his trio is augmented by powerful stylists such as trombonist Steve Turre, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and tenor saxohponist Joshua Redman, to particular effect on the James Brown-inspired title tune. GETTIN' TO IT is the real deal.

Entertainment Weekly (1/20/95, p.53) - "...McBride has a big, fat tone and limitless dexterity, and the music boils..." - Rating: B
Down Beat (4/95, p.34) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...his time is flawless, his tone solid, his solos swing and his bowing hits the mark like Robin Hood's..."
Option (5-6/95, p.115) - "...impeccable tone and articulation, plus a remarkably melodic, empathetic mode of playing, both in ensemble and solo....An outstanding jazz album..."
Musician (4/95, p.71) - "...a rousing experience....GETTIN' TO IT is an exuberant excursion..."