Etienne MbappeCameroon |1964| FrenchBassist Etienne Mbappé has a grace, tenderness, and humanity that surpasses boundaries, genres, and languages, even in the most demanding musical circumstances. He has an unwavering knack for melody and a rich, singing tone. His talents have been put to use as a sideman with Joe Zawinul, Manu Dibango, Robben Ford, Salif Keita, Ray Charles, Steps Ahead, and saxophonist Bill Evans. He has also performed with John McLaughlin's 4th Dimension and the Ringers (including Jimmy Herring, Wayne Krantz, Michael Landau, and Gary Novak). How Near How Far, Mbappé's fourth solo album and the first to concentrate on his instrumental work, is now available on DATE through Abstract Logix, giving people a chance to hear his own music.