Les McCann: Next Steps

Les McCann: Next Steps

Soul-jazz giant Les McCann makes risk-taking look downright casual: “Big Jim,” from his early-'60s trio, is a laidback concert gem that dares to couch his sing-along vocals. “Baby, Baby” taps Roberta Flack for an eerie devotional duet, while his dreamy cover of Marvin Gaye's “What's Going On?” summons The Persuasions for rousing harmonies. And live at Montreux, “With These Hands” perfectly integrates his gritty voice and silky-smooth piano.