In Brief

*** BETTY CARTER “Droppin’ Things” (Verve). At her best, Carter is a first-rate lyricist; her “Thirty Years” substantiates this. Her tonal eccentricity will never change, nor will her proclivity for scatting, of which she contributes more than a fair share. Yet surprisingly, many of the best moments here are instrumental passages featuring Freddie Hubbard (trumpet) and Craig Handy (tenor). These are live cuts at a New York club except for a medley that highlights pianist Geri Allen.