Formed at UNC-Chapel Hill, modern bluegrass favorites Steep Canyon Rangers return to the Triangle together with their most famous collaborator, Steve Martin. Though much of his acclaim has come as a comedian and actor, Martin's proved with increasing frequency that he's no slouch on banjo or behind the microphone, either, even winning a Grammy for best bluegrass album in 2010. With the Rangers—skilled singers and instrumentalists not confined by tradition—Martin brings a touch of his brand of humor to the baker's dozen of fine tunes that comprise their joint 2011 release Rare Bird Alert. —Spencer Griffith