Uri Caine: Uri Caine (piano); Nguyen Le (guitar); Ralph Alessi (trumpet); John Hebert (bass instrument); Zach Danziger (drums).

Keyboard virtuoso Uri Caine is one of those musicians who seems to be everywhere at once, appearing as a session man on countless projects. Yet Caine also fronts and records regularly with his own ensemble, and 2008's THE OTHELLO SYNDROME, based on the Shakespeare play, provides a fine cross-section of the group's efforts. Straddling a line between jazz fusion and groove-based pop, Caine's group, which features a large cast of musicians on winds, brass, electronics, and percussion,in addition to a rotating cast of vocalists, is sleek and accomplished. Some of Caine's other recordings emphasize his adventurousness, but this outing is smooth, accessible, and fun.