Christian McBride

• LIMITED EDITION 2-LP ORANGE VINYL

• GATEFOLD SLEEVE

For a man that’s known to lead many groups, Conversations with Christian focused on duets for this stunning 2011 release. McBride first considered a proposal to do a duet project during the latter ‘90s. “At the time,” he recalls, “I didn’t feel I was ready, or that it was the project I wanted to do. I had other things in mind. But as time progressed, I got to do other projects—putting together the Christian McBride Big Band and experimenting with a lot of different sounds and layers—and my focus returned to the duets idea.

The iconic bassist placed himself in the forefront of the flow on a duet apiece with 13 of his closest musical friends and cohorts - singers Angélique Kidjo, Sting and Dee Dee Bridgewater; pianists George Duke, Eddie Palmieri and Chick Corea, as well as Dr. Billy Taylor and Hank Jones; violinist Regina Carter; trumpeter Roy Hargrove; guitarist Russell Malone; tenor saxophonist Ron Blake; and actress Gina Gershon. In the process, McBride unleashed the full measure of his already legendary skills, crafting as complete a portrait of his diverse interests - different vibrations of the blues and African-American church experience, bebop, the American Songbook, the Latin Tinge, the Freedom Principle, even comedy - as he has ever presented.

PERSONNEL:

• Christian McBride (bass)
• Angelique Kidjo (vocals)
• Regina Carter (violin)
• Sting (vocals, guitar)
• Eddie Palmieri (piano)
• Roy Hargrove: (trumpet)
• Dr. Billy Taylor (piano)
• Dee Dee Bridgewater (vocals)
• Hank Jones (piano)
• George Duke (piano)
• Chick Corea (piano)
• Russell Malone (guitar1)
• Ron Blake (tenor saxophone)
• Gina Gershon (vocals)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Afirika featuring Angélique Kidjo
• A2. Fat Bach and Greens featuring Regina Carter
• A3. Consider Me Gone featuring Sting
• A4. Guajeo Y Tumbao featuring Eddie Palmieri

• SIDE B
• B1. Baubles, Bangles and Beads featuring Roy Hargrove
• B2. Spiritual featuring Dr. Billy Taylor
• B3. It’s Your Thing featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater

• SIDE C
• C1. Alone Together featuring Hank Jones
• C2. McDukey Blues featuring George Duke
• C3. Tango Improvisation #1 featuring Chick Corea

• SIDE D
• D1. Sister Rosa featuring Russell Malone
• D2. Shake ‘n Blake featuring Ron Blake
• D3. Chitlins and Gefiltefish featuring Gina Gershon