Chuck Loeb - Between 2 Worlds (2009)

Between 2 Worlds is a collection of material culled from sessions on either side of the Atlantic. The first seven tracks were cut in New York and the remaining four in Berlin. Regardless of points on a map, though, the two worlds that Loeb straddles on the album are more conceptual than geographical. Between 2 Worlds dispenses with much of the technology of his previous recordings and instead focuses on the basic trio of guitar, bass and drums.

Despite the streamlined approach, he does enlist the help of a few friends along the way, including saxophonist Eric Marienthal, trombonist Brian Culbertson, trumpeter Till Bronner and several others. Even Loeb's wife and daughter - Carmen Cuesta and Lizzy Loeb - lay down vocal tracks and take co-writing credits on a couple songs.

Whatever new territory Loeb chooses to explore in Between 2 Worlds - be it on the map or in the music - he successfully carves out a place for himself and his listeners that's rarely predictable, but always exciting.