If there's one thing the acclaimed bassist Christian McBride knows, it's that when it comes to grit there's no better resource to draw from than his own hometown, Philadelphia. So, McBride turned to one of the city's most beloved colloquialisms to christen his latest project, Christian McBride's New Jawn.

On the band's eponymous debut, these four stellar musicians - including trumpeter Josh Evans, saxophonist Marcus Strickland, and drummer Nasheet Waits - ably walk the razor's edge between thrilling virtuosity and gut-punch instinctiveness.

"I was looking for a new challenge," says McBride of the birth of the New Jawn. "I don't get the chance too often to play in a chordless group. Every major group I've been a part of for the last ten years, whether it's been with Pat Metheny or Chick Corea or my own projects, there's been nothing but chords. So, I wanted to see what happens if I just pull the chords out altogether."

The result is a surprisingly bracing and adventurous outing for McBride. A world-renowned bassist regularly lauded as a musician who can do anything, he proves it yet again by venturing into new territory. New Jawn runs the gamut of stylistic approaches, from deep-rooted swing to daring abstraction, singular blues to exquisite balladry. At the core of it all is McBride's trademark sound, robust and embracing, agile and inventive.