Conversations with Christian

*Conversations with Christian* features 13 duets with bassist Christian McBride and his top-tier guests. Featuring some spectacular performances, the album is varied in both its material and collaborators, touching on jazz, pop, and classical. McBride and violinist Regina Carter do an unconventional Bach interpretation, he covers Latin jazz with pianist Eddie Palmieri, and he presents a spirited take on The Isley Brothers hit “It’s Your Thing” with singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. The two other vocalists are Angelique Kidjo (who does a stunning version of “Afrika”) and Sting (who sings his composition “Consider Me Gone” while adding acoustic guitar). Elsewhere McBride is joined by contemporary jazz greats like trumpeter Roy Hargrove, tenor saxophonist Ron Blake, and guitarist Russell Malone, as well as legends Chick Corea, George Duke, and the late pianists Dr. Billy Taylor and Hank Jones. Not surprisingly, the music is excellent. But it’s the chemistry that McBride shares with his guests that makes *Conversations* well worth checking out.

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McBride's duets produce mixed results, with partners ranging from Sting to Chick Corea and George Duke, writes <strong>John Fordham</strong>