Silver

This long-running pop-jazz group celebrates its 25th anniversary in fitting fashion, with a set of songs referencing silver. The mostly instrumental offering delivers reams of smooth and lightly bluesy playing, with bassist Nathan East’s melodic lines standing out in particular. Keyboardist Bob James pays tribute to Horace Silver on “Horace," in which the song’s laidback strut evokes something of the master's style. Guitarist Chuck Loeb and drummer Harvey Mason also bring a relaxed, swinging mood to the ensemble’s sound.