Unity Band

Over his impressive career, superstar guitarist Pat Metheny has lead parallel bands—the electrified Pat Metheny Group and acoustic-oriented units—with ever-changing rosters. The latter ensembles have boasted everyone from veterans like drum legend Roy Haynes and pioneering alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman to younger talent such as bassist Christian McBride and drummer Bill Stewart. For his Unity Band, Metheny brings along drummer Antonio Sanchez from his last trio, along with a few surprising choices—the influential tenor saxophonist/multi-reeds player Chris Potter and twentysomething double bassist Ben Williams. There’s a fully involved quartet sound on all nine Metheny originals, whether it’s the pastoral “New Year,” the gorgeous “This Belongs to You,” or the frenetic “Breakdealer.” Unity Band comes with a five-page digital booklet.