Regina Carter is beginning to build up quite a body of work as one of the top contemporary violinists. Motor City Moments follows on the success of last year's Rhythms of the Heart on the Verve label, with the collection showing Carter's ability to bring her beautiful tone to an eclectic bunch of tunes. There is a concept of sorts, which, as one can guess from the title, is that the music is associated with her hometown of Detroit. Thus Carter covers a track apiece from Motown giants Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder ("Don't Mess with Mr T" and "Higher Ground" respectively). Easily the best tune though is Milt Jackson's "For Someone I Love", which shows that she can swing as well as she can play ballads. Maybe, though, it is best not to put too much emphasis on the "concept", as this number shows. True, Jackson hailed from Detroit but its Cuban beat conjures up more Havana than the Motor City. But then you buy albums for the music not the concept. And this is good music. --Phil Brett