So What

So What

Bassist Ron Carter continues to prove that less is more. Following a winning effort with a quartet on <I>The Bass and I</I>,Carter returns with a trio date balanced between originals and standards. His sidemen, pianist Kenny Barron and drummer Lewis Nash help create a supple sound that enables Carter to lead without sounding anachronistic (or worse, like the bass solo during a generic jazz set). The title track is an obvious reference to Carter's tenure with Miles Davis's quintet of the mid '60s, and he includes, "You Be So Nice to Come Home To" in honor of the late Davis's alum, drummer Tony Williams. The trio shines on Randy Weston's "Hi-Fly" and Carter's own "3 More Days," one of four originals that animate this engaging outing. --<I>Martin Johnson</I>