City Abstract

3 1/2 STARS For City Abstract, Dan McCarthy penned six dynamic originals to celebrate the work of two of his mentors, pianist Carla Bley and fellow vibraphonist Gary Burton. To start, he opens the album with "Bleyto (For Carla Bley)," an uptempo, ringing tune with postbop vitality that stands in stylistic contrast with the closing track, "Desert Roads (For Gary Burton)," with its galloping jazz-rock groove. In between these vibrant bookends, McCarthy delves into beautiful vibes-guided meditations on tunes like Keith Jarrett's "Coral," Pat Metheny's "Midwestern Nights Dream" and his own "Other Things Of Less Consequence."