“DUETS.� Rob Wasserman. MCA 42131. This would...

“DUETS.� Rob Wasserman. MCA 42131. This would appear to be an attempt to circumvent the problem often posed by the excessive length of CDs; on almost every cut, bassist Wasserman is paired with a different partner (usually a singer). It works beautifully when Cheryl Bentyne joins him for “Angel Eyes.� Leonard Cohen’s “Ballad of the Runaway Horse,� with Jennifer Warnes, is quietly moving. “Brothers,� with Bobby McFerrin, is overdubbed fun, and Wasserman’s duet with himself is a fine showcase for his technique. The rest, alas, is darkness: an abysmal “Stardust� with Aaron Neville, two ridiculous cuts with Rickie Lee Jones, Lou Reed’s distorted guitar, shuffle rhythm and questionable chords on “One for My Baby,� Dan Hicks savaging the great old song “Gone With the Wind,� and a disappointing “Over the Rainbow� featuring Stephane Grappelli that ends inexplicably with Wasserman and the violinist playing the melody in unison. Moral: Diversity is not enough. 2 stars.