Known for his tart tone, smooth-jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright has added R&B flavor to countless combos, including pianist Les McCann's group ("Clap Formation"). Since his 1987 debut, Albright has transformed R&B hits like Johnny Gill's "My, My, My" and James Brown's "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" into high-drama instrumentals. He never lost his dedication to straight-ahead jazz, however, as demonstrated by Albright's clear-eyed take on Coltrane's "Impressions" from his thoroughly swinging album Live at Birdland West.