Ray Brown: Some Of My Best Friends Are ... Singers

Bassist Ray Brown spent 15 years in the Oscar Peterson trio. Since then, he's never fallen off the jazz map, becoming a mainstay in the mainstream with his own swinging, bop-smart trio. His "Best Friends" series has also elevated the dialogue of collective ensembles, integrating seasoned elders and neophytes into his expanding band. With this release, Brown brings singers on board; from the savvy old-world swing of Etta Jones to the hip postbop of Dee Dee Bridgewater, he moves both smoothly and solidly. There are also particularly strong surprises, from Kevin Mahogany's deep blues tracks to Nancy King's underheralded excellence. --Andrew Bartlett