The debut collaborative album from Alison Brown and Steve Martin, Safe, Sensible and Sane, is a collection inspired by a shared fascination with the unique beauty of the banjo. After achieving a No. 1 hit with the first tune they ever wrote together (“Foggy Morning Breaking,” from Brown’s 2023 LP On Banjo), the two GRAMMY-winning musicians started dreaming up a batch of banjo-centered songs built on Brown’s daringly innovative melodies and Martin’s quirky yet profoundly tender lyrics. Safe, Sensible and Sane is the result of their ongoing partnership. They are joined on the project by numerous musical luminaries, including Jackson Browne, Jason Mraz, Indigo Girls, Aoife O’Donovan, Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, Della Mae, and others. The album’s first three singles earned two more No. 1 radio chart hits, including the newest release “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back” featuring Tim O’Brien—a warm, timeless song nominated for Song of the Year, Collaborative Performance of the Year, and Music Video of the Year at the upcoming International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards. Another standout is the nostalgic “Dear Time,” which features Jackson Browne with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder Jeff Hanna on vocals. The album’s fourth single, “Dear Time,” originated from an idea Martin brought in as he approached his 80th birthday, striking a powerful balance of playful humor and heartfelt sincerity. Folk icons Indigo Girls join in on “Girl, Have Money When You’re Old,” an anthem of female empowerment that captures the spirit of the moment with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sharing lead vocals. Two of the album’s most unexpected tracks draw inspiration from south of the border: the infectious Caribbean-influenced “Statement of Your Affairs” featuring Jason Mraz, and “Michael” featuring Aoife O’Donovan with Sarah Jarosz, which offers a bittersweet daydream with breezy Brazilian rhythms. Brown and Martin’s recent collaborations have exceeded 40 million views on social media and have been enjoyed by viewers of Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Kelly Clarkson Show. The pair is scheduled to co-host the IBMA Awards next month.[info sheet from distr.]