(September 8, 2025) Christian McBride’s phenomenal career speaks of re-writing the modern day Big Band charts balancing traditional and progressive sounds, backed with respect for jazz heroes from Chick Corea to Wes Montgomery. Besides his work as a bassist, bandleader and composer, McBride has served as an ambassador in educational capacities (Artistic Director of Jazz House Kids), radio host (NPR’s Jazz Night in America) and artistic director for the Newport Jazz Festival. But the musicality for this 9-time Grammy winner stretches far beyond expectations (for instance, producing But Who’s Gonna Play The Melody? with American roots and classical bassist Edgar Meyer, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart in 2024).
Marking his 21st full-length project as a frontman, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1 (Mack Avenue Records), the emphasis focuses on jazz stylists such as SoulTracks favorite, Cécile McLorin Salvant. However, for the latest First Listen, McBride calls on the legendary soul/R&B stylist Jeffrey Osborne via a new look at one of his mega hit with L.T.D, “Back in Love Again:” “This has been a fantastic opportunity to finally record some of these arrangements and to play them with some of my favorite singers.”
Just like before, Osborne’s soulful registers intense thoughts behind a love hangover: “I get mixed emotions / It’s the way my feelings flow / Excuse me I’m only human. / Sometimes I… I just don’t know.”
The song is faithful to the original 1977 recording, resulting in a fresh but familiar listen. And the big band handles all the funky stuff, from the brass hits to the contagious grooves of guitarist Rodney Jones and McBride’s electric bass.
Even band members jump in on background voices, with Shannon Pearson on this danceable classic that never gets weary on the ears.
By Peggy Oliver
