Alto saxist Christopher McBride carries a soulful Cannonball Adderley of a horn on this impressive release with JS Williams/tp, Jonathan Edward Thomas/p, Noah Jackson/b, Cedric Easton/dr, organ Burrs/g, Luke Carlos O’Reiley/keys, Core A. Wallace/tb, Kenny Bentley/tuba, J Hoard/voc and guest Bobby Broom/g.
The core team drives hard with McBride and Thomas flexing their muscles on the exciting “Lady D” with some urban rap supplied on ”Welcome”. The team shuffles under McBride’s flavorful alto on You Put A Smile On My Face” with some nice #2 pencil lines drawn by Broom’s guitar. Some soul funk is displayed by Thomas on “Bronx Unchained” with some extra fret work by Burrs digging deep on “Intimacy” There’s a three part “Stand Your Ground” which makes a social statement with Jackson’s bass and Williams’ pleading horn, while a mix of church and Sly Stone get celebratory on “Girl Get “em” and “Your Eyes Can’t Lie”. Soul struttin’.