If you were a fan of science fiction, you'd be well aware of the theory of alternate universes. The theory goes that there are an infinite number of universes, and therefore, every possible permutation of Existence is played out to its logical conclusion. We exist in this universe. Somewhere out there is an exact-opposite universe (you know, one in which Spock has a beard), and somewhere there's a universe where, I dunno, everything is the same except that Ilsa doesn't get on the plane with Victor at the end of Casablanca.

In the alternate universe where jazz is the popular musical form of today's youth, Flip Phillips' Swing is The Thing! is selling as many copies as Santana's "Supernatural" is in ours. This is not to say that Flip's new CD is anything too new, or really all that profound (same rules apply to Carlos, at least in comparison to his earlier work), simply to say that it is a triumph of an elder statesman colluding with the new generation.

Flip Phillips is 85 years old. Yes, you read right, 85. How an 85 year old can walk without a cane, let alone play charts like this is a miracle. He sits like a consigliari on his album cover. He's one of the few remaining legends, having played with Woody Herman's band, Norman Granz's Philharmonic Group, and in his own ensembles. He's collected the hottest young names in jazz to work on this new record: Christian McBride, James Carter, Joe Lovano, Benny Green, Howard Alden, and Kenny Washington (best known as the Jazz Maniac, to listeners of Newark's WBGO.)

The group plays straight ahead, clean jazz. Phillips and Alden have arranged these tunes in a big band style, but for the small ensemble to play. The result is very accessible music, but full of chops. The opening cut is a Basie-esque tumbler called "the Mark of Zorro." It's true Flip's tone is a little light compared to the youth around him, but he certainly holds his own. Alden's guitar compliments the light tone well, placing this album firmly in the well-intended category of daytime jazz.

There are fine standards, including "Where or When" and "I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You." Of most interest is a version of "In A Mellow Tone" with just Phillips and bassist McBride playing solo. Phillips is at his Ben Webster-ish smoothest here (indeed, he played with Webster back in the day. He played with everyone!) This track stands out, as it shows two great artists who just can't stand still. They both noodle, but noodle well, making this well known jazz standard very . . . jazzy. There must have been a lot of smiling during the recording of this track.

James Carter, he of the great skronk, and perhaps my favorite young jazz artist, holds back a bit. Perhaps out of respect for Flip, or maybe because he wants to sell himself a bit for the library crowd. We haven't heard from Mr. Carter on an album of his own for two years now, so we'll have to wait just a little while longer to learn if he's mellowing.

This has been a great year for music so far, and we've seen a lot of top notch jazz. I still don't think I've found the one jazz album that's just knocked me on my ass yet. "Swing Is The Thing!" isn't going to be the one, I'm sure of it, but it'll be fun to listen to until it comes.