Prime (album)
Prime is a studio album by American jazz bassist Christian McBride recorded together with saxophonist Marcus Strickland, trumpeter Josh Evans, and drummer Nasheet Waits.[6][7] The album was released on 24 February 2023 via Mack Avenue label.[8] For McBride, this is the 18th album as a band leader and the second one for his band New Jawn after Christian McBride's New Jawn released in 2018.[9][10] Prime contains eight tracks: five originals written by bandmembers and three jazz standards.
| Prime | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 24, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 16–17 December 2021 | |||
| Studio | Power Station, NYC | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 54:28 | |||
| Label | Mack Avenue | |||
| Producer | Christian McBride, Romelle Canonizado | |||
| Christian McBride chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz | |
| AllMusic | |
| The Denver Post | |
| Jazzwise | |
| Tom Hull | A–[5] |
Reception
Kevin Le Gendre of Jazzwise wrote, "Trumpeter Josh Evans and saxophonist Marcus Strickland form an excellent horn section, stoking a freeish fire on occasion but the latter's bass clarinet ostinatos make a big impact insofar as they lend more heft to the low register as well as enriching the harmonic palette. Although largely perceived as a straight ahead champion, McBride has always been pleasingly eclectic, and his absorption of the avant-garde flourishes of Mingus, Max and Dolphy leads him down long, winding, interesting roads here."[4] Mike Jurkovic of All About Jazz noted, "With trigger quick wit and telepathy Prime's flagship track develops into a full-on, fun-house jam as the delightfully chord-less quintet run roughshod over this and all of Prime's eight master class tracks."[1] Michael Major of Broadway World commented, "Prime exemplifies jazz greats at the zenith of their powers who insist on scaling greater heights."[11] Ian Lomax of Jazz Journal added, "New Jawn may be a step too far for many, but there is no doubting the innovation, the talent, and the passion. This is album is certainly worth a listen for all McBride fans and the musically adventurous."[12]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Head Bedlam" | Christian McBride | 5:46 |
| 2. | "Prime" | Marcus Strickland | 7:29 |
| 3. | "Moonchild" | Nasheet Waits | 4:44 |
| 4. | "Obsequious" | Larry Young | 8:05 |
| 5. | "Lurkers" | Christian McBride | 8:48 |
| 6. | "The Good Life" | Ornette Coleman | 7:35 |
| 7. | "Dolphy Dust" | Josh Evans | 5:03 |
| 8. | "East Broadway Run Down" | Sonny Rollins | 7:17 |
| Total length: | 54:28 | ||
Personnel
- Christian McBride – bass, producing
- Josh Evans – trumpet
- Marcus Strickland – tenor sax, bass clarinet
- Nasheet Waits – drums
References
- Jurkovic, Mike (4 March 2023). "Christian McBride's New Jawn: Prime album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- Collar, Matt (2003). "Prime". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- Saunders, Bret (31 January 2023). "Bandleader Christian McBride's new "jawn," and more jazz this month". The Denver Post. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- Le Gendre, Kevin (2023). "Christian McBride's New Jawn: Prime". Jazzwise. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- "Tom Hull: Grade List: Christian McBride". Tom Hull. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- Edgar, Hannah (24 March 2023). "Review: What's a 'New Jawn'? Only Christian McBride's hottest band yet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- DeLuca, Dan (2023). "Jazz great Christian McBride won't name his five favorite Philly musicians. Here's why". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- Blumenfeld, Larry (27 February 2023). "'Prime' by Christian McBride's New Jawn and 'Corridors' by Jazz Master Kendrick Scott Reviews: No Piano, No Problem". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- Shteamer, Hank (20 February 2023). "Christian McBride, Revered in Jazz, Is Playing the Long Game". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- Baltin, Steve (12 March 2023). "Sunday Conversation: Christian McBride On New Music, The Need For Jazz Education And 'Sesame Street'". Forbes. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- Major, Michael (10 January 2023). "Christian McBride Returns With 'Christian McBride's New Jawn: Prime'". Broadway World. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- Lomax, Ian (17 April 2023). "Christian McBride's New Jawn: Prime". Jazz Journal. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
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