Inside
It's rare that saxophonist David Sanborn gets a notion to do something more adventurous than sitting in with the Letterman show's band. As a king of the smooth-jazz world, why should he?Inside, however, does take a couple of chances, though nothing on the order of 1991'sAnother Hand.Cassandra Wilsonsits in for a dry reading ofAretha's "Day Dreaming" that suggests she's best in slightly more daring company; this take doesn't improve on either the original or on Mary J. Blige'srecent cover. (For a revelatory Wilson cameo, check out her version ofMuddy Waters's "Country Girl" on Javon Jackson'sA Look Within.) Likewise,Sting("Ain't No Sunshine") and perennial nonentitiesLalah HathawayandEric Benet("When I'm with You") bring little to their guest-vocal turns. As for the seven instrumental cuts, Sanborn and producerMarcus Millerrarely rise above midtempo mush.--Rickey Wright