On Gary Burton's debut release on Mack Avenue Records "Common Ground", the Grammy-winning pioneer of the four-mallet technique of playing the vibes is not only delivering his first studio album since 2005, but is also introducing his latest band. Well-known throughout his five-decade career for his quartets (beginning with his 1967 group featuring Larry Coryell, Roy Haynes and Steve Swallow), Burton is returning to the configuration for the first time since the mid 90s. He expresses great enthusiasm for the new band's alchemy. I've always liked the vibraphone-guitar sound, says Burton, whose masterful vibes glisten throughout Common Ground. It's something that I discovered when Nashville country guitarist Hank Garland invited me in the 60s to record with him. The sound of the two instruments together has an ideal timbre and coolness.

On "Guided Tour", jazz's most innovative and accomplished vibraphonist proves that The New Gary Burton Quartet which he premiered last summer on his Mack Avenue debut, "Common Ground" was no one-trick pony. Featuring the prodigal guitar genius Julian Lage as well as two veterans, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Antonio Sanchez, Guided Tour provides a road map to one of the most dynamic bands on the scene today. On "Guided Tour", Burton sought out original material from all the group's members, illuminating their wide range of cross-cultural musical styles.