In Common 2 (2020)

"The cover of tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III and Matthew Stevens’ second co-led album is hilarious: It’s literally the same as the first In Common, but with pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Linda Oh, and drummer Nate Smith’s faces replacing those of Joel Ross, Harish Raghavan, and Marcus Gilmore. Is it a harbinger, one might wonder, of the music within? Same stuff, different faces? The overall treatment is different, although Smith shows much the same level of creative energy that Gilmore did on the first album. Throughout, Thomas is busier and more harmonically rich than Ross’ thoughtful but somewhat sparse vibraphones. This stronger presence pushes Oh’s bass into nearly subliminal territory—but what magic she works there. She brings a physical authority to the vamp on Stevens’ “Cowboy,” and all but improvises a counterpoint to the guitarist’s solo on “Provinces.” Yes, Smith and Stevens are the leaders and star attractions, but their best decisions seem to be about the company they keep." (JazzTimes.com)