Togethering

by Scott YanowThis CD matches together guitarist Kenny Burrell with the popular saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., in a quintet also including bassist Ron Carter, drummer Jack DeJohnette and percussionist Ralph Macdonald. The settings gives Washington a rare chance to play strictly straightahead jazz but unfortunately he mostly sticks to his comparatively lightweight soprano instead of playing his gutsier tenor. The music is therefore merely pleasing rather than really being all that historic. Highpoints include "A Beautiful Friendship" and "What Am I Here For."