Considering Victor Bailey is one of the most ubiquitous sidemen on the music scene, you might think he’d seize the opportunity to proclaim his individual identity as a bassist on his third solo album, That’s Right! Well, not exactly. That’s Right! is not a “bass” album, per se, but rather a solid collection of funk-fusion tunes that spotlight the former Weather Report bassist’s multiple gifts as a composer, musician, arranger and leader.
While That’s Right! is clearly Bailey’s album-he composed most of the tracks and infectious grooves prevail-the recording is a group effort. And what a group! Bailey enlisted drummers Omar Hakim and Lenny White, saxophonist Bill Evans, saxophonist/bass clarinetist Bennie Maupin, keyboardist Jim Beard and guitarist Dean Brown to help him breathe vibrant life into the album’s nine tracks.