2003 · Album
Timeagain
Verve · Released: 2003 · Critical Reception: The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: 3/4
Christian McBride's Foundation Under Sanborn's Horn
McBride's bass work anchors every track, giving Sanborn room to breathe and explore without losing the groove.
What makes Timeagain stick is Christian McBride on bass. Sanborn's alto saxophone is the clear draw—his tone and phrasing are what bring you to the album—but it's McBride's foundation that lets the whole thing work. He's locked in tight with Steve Gadd on drums, creating a pocket that's both modern and swinging, the kind of bottom end that doesn't announce itself but that you'd immediately miss if it vanished. McBride gives Sanborn something solid to push against, and the saxophonist takes full advantage, moving between statements and spaces with real ease. The supporting cast—Gil Goldstein on piano, Russell Malone on guitar, Mike Mainieri on vibraphone, plus Don Alias and Luisito Quintero on percussion—fills out the sound nicely, but they're seasoning. McBride is the meal. This is a late-career record for Sanborn, released by Verve in 2003, and it doesn't pretend to be anything revolutionary. It's a solid, professional session where an experienced bandleader surrounds himself with players who understand how to serve the music rather than dominate it. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings gave it three stars, which feels about right—strong work without pretense, the kind of album that rewards repeated listening more than it announces itself on first encounter. If you're looking for Sanborn at his most accessible and grounded, this is a sensible place to land.
Who's playing
David Sanbornalto saxophone, piano
Gil Goldsteinpiano
Russell Maloneguitar
Steve Gadddrums
Don Aliaspercussion
Luisito Quinteroadditional, percussion
Mike Mainierivibraphone
Alfred Brownviola
Olivia Koppellviola
Jesse Levycello
Caryl Paisnercello
Ricky Petersonkeyboard
Where next?
More by David Sanborn
All 26 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
