Motor City Moments
Blessed with a vibrant violin style that embraces everyone fromStuff Smithand Ray Nance toJean-Luc Ponty, Regina Carter gives a swinging shout-out to her hometown, Detroit, onMotor City Moments. Trumpeter Marcus Belgrave and saxophonist-bass clarinetistJames Carterlend their beautiful tones toThad Jones's boppish "Don't Git Sassy," and the haunting "Love Theme from Spartacus."Marvin Gaye's "Don't Mess with Mister T,"Milt Jackson's "For Someone I Love," andStevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" move with a Latin beat. Another Motown great, pianistBarry Harris, lends hisThelonious Monk-Bud Powelllines on his duo with Carter on "Fukai Aijo" and onLucky Thompson'sCharlie Parker-inspired "Prey Loot." GuitaristRussell Malonesits in with Carter on "Chattanooga Choo Choo," and the bluesy "Up South" pays tribute to the Southern heritage of Detroit's black population, which gave the world some beautiful music.--Eugene Holley Jr.