I first saw Terri Lyne Carrington play live many years ago with Al Jarreau in New York City. The one word that comes to mind from her performance is “monster”. And, on her latest release “Mosaic”, she has assembled a monstrous all-star, all-female band. It’s a dream team consisting of Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Esperanza Spalding, Geri Allen, Gretchen Parlato, Helen Sung, Ingrid Jensen, Nona Hendryx, Patrice Rushen, Sheila E, and Tineke Postma.

Mosiac weaves through quite a few musical styles and feels, but somehow it is masterfully all rooted in jazz. From the soulful opening track “Transformation”, featuring Nona Hendryx, to the burning chops in “Insomniac”. You are treated to a buffet of jazz, funk, blues, soul ballads, and latin grooves. There’s even a jazz nod to the Beatles, taking “Michelle” to another level. Some of the standout tracks for me are “I Got Lost In His Arms” for its wide-open, pure groove, “Soul Talk” is the baddest tune ever, and “Crayola”, which sounds like its name, with stretching, bouncing vocals, and fantastic solos.

Terri Lyne Carrington “Mosaic Project”

Mosaic Project is great music, played by stellar musicians, wrapped up in a beautifully recorded production.