Red Hot + Indigo
ThatDuke Ellingtontranscended all partitions of the music world is inarguable.Red Hot + Indigonails this point home for a series of new generations, doing so in a way that the ever-elegant Duke would dig. The most frequent contributors areMedeski Martin & Wood, clocking in with six tracks, including the horn-enriched, churning opener, "Acht O'Clock Rock" and Duke's staple riff piece, "C Jam Blues." The trio's mix of soul-jazz steepings and jam-band looseness abets them wonderfully when guests such as trombonists Art Baron and guitaristKenny Burrelljoin them. Stepping also to the fore is a group of stunning interpreters.Mary J. Bligenearly bellows "Do Nothing 'til You Hear from Me" in a spare, retro-soul groove.Black Starcollaborates with bass greatRon Carterfor a blazing social-critique reading of "Money Jungle," andMelky Sedeckpercolates a sultry "Mood Indigo" that reiterates a semi-constant retro vibe that runs throughout these 17 tracks. MMW keep "Creole Love Call" within its original, shuffling framework, just as Kenny Burrell does on "In a Sentimental Mood." There's a lot of stretching, though, too: D'Angelo (on keyboards) and the Roots intermingle minimal melody statements and a punching rap throwdown on "Caravan."Terry Callierextends "Satin Doll" with his effusively broad, deep vocal, andLes Nubiansgive "Come Sunday" an aptly soothing spiritual edge that's irresistible. An expansive exercise in musical cartography,Red Hot + Indigodraws a map of musical cultures here, from kickin' hip-hop to slinking guitar grooves to deep-sea dub. In doing so, they show contours of Ellington that seem both unimaginable and perfect at once.--Andrew Bartlett