James Silberstein: Expresslane

With a delicate tone and quicksilver attack, guitarist James Silberstein balances bop and bossa on his second disc as a leader. The session is stacked with guest artists, but bassist Harvie S provides the fulcrum, handling all the arrangements and contributing two original tunes. The material tends towards light, breezy swing, giving Silberstein plenty of room to build ornate, creative structures in his sleek solos. Overall, the disc has an easygoing feel, whether the band is chilling lazily or bopping along at a breakneck pace.

Originally Published June 1, 2008