“MANHATTAN JAZZ QUINTET.” ProJazz Compact Disc CDJ...

“MANHATTAN JAZZ QUINTET.” ProJazz Compact Disc CDJ 602. Paradoxically, these five New York-based musicians are relatively unknown in the United States but have earned fame in Japan, both on records and in person. They are Dave Matthews, pianist, arranger, and composer of two pieces; Lew Soloff, the quondam Blood, Sweat & Tears trumpeter; George Young, tenor sax; the prodigious teen bassist Charnett Moffett (his solo on “My Favorite Things” is the album’s shining moment) and Steve Gadd on drums. It’s all unambiguously modern mainstream music, though not very long on invention or ambition. 3 stars. (Note: Soloff has his own, more electrically oriented CD, “Hanalei Bay.”