Each Step

Classy sounding guitarist Nathan Borton mixes hints of Wes Montgomery and Grant Green on this winning session in quartet and beyond format with a core of Xavier Davis/p, Rodney Whitaker/b and Keith Hall/dr with guests Diego Rivera/ts and Chris Glassman/btb.

There's an easy swing reminiscent of Montgomery's halcyon days on the Riverside label on the clean and melodic "Each Step" and the supporting team shows how to dig a sharp groove on the cooking "Just One Of Those Things". Borton is relaxed and creates calm waters on "The More I See You", hip on "Grantstand" and richly Latin on "Grant's Groove". Rivera brings in a warm glowing ember on the bopping read of "Milestones" with Hall, and the two horns meld for palpable harmonies on "What Now" and the mellow madness of "Change". Timeless strings.