Now

Bassist Kyle Eastwood may enjoy a bit of name recognition thanks to his famous actor/director father Clint, but the musician's grasp of the post-bop idiom and his ability to mix it with accessible pop and R&B flavors finds him determined to stand on his own merits. Although 2006's NOW has moments of adventure and edge--the groovy fusion of the title track opener, for instance--much of the album stays smooth and laid-back, with featured vocalists and a wine-and-candlelight vibe. But even while keeping things mellow Eastwood manages some surprises, such as his fusion-fueled cover of the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."