Benny Benack mixes hip trumpet and voice on this mix of standards and originals with a core team of Takeshi Ohbayashi/p, Ulysses Owens Jr/dr and all star bassist Christian McBride along with some guests. His horn bops like Kenny Dorham with McBride on Ray Brown’s “Gravy Waltz” and the two swagger on “New Born Blues.” Benack is a hep cat with Ohbayashi on “Sub-Zero” while singing in a cozy sweater on Mr. Rogers’ “It’s You I Like.” His duet with Veronica Swift on the nifty “Social Cal” includes a nice bass line by McBride as well, while his teaming with Alita Moses on “Where Is The Love” is a cool breeze. A winner on a multitude of levels.
David Longoria keeps it mostly muted on the horn with a team of guests that includes Freda Payne, Poncho Sanchez, Marc Antonelli and Promise Marks. He shows his bop chops when he opens up with a swinging team on Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower” and gives a big sounding aria with keyboards on “Misty”. Deep and bluesy with Marks on “Ain’t No Use” he and Antonelli create a lyrically romantic tone on “My Funny Valentine” and gets spicey with Sanchez on the salsa’d “No Turning Back.” Textures and tones.