Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling's curiosity is always an invitation and never a put-on—whether he's drawing inspiration from a Wayne Shorter solo or singing one of his own pieces. From his earliest '90s records on the Blue Note label, it was apparent that his scat-vocal chops and experimental concepts would never overshadow his ear for pleasing pop-craft. It's a tradition Elling has carried forward into the new century and his recordings for the Concord label.