CD Reviews: Jeff Berlin “High Standards” CD-2010 M.A.J. Records
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Posted by: editoron Friday, July 30, 2010 - 11:24 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Pioneering electric bassist Jeff Berlin set “high standards” back in the 1970s during his arrival on the progressive-rock and jazz-fusion scenes. His work with fellow living legends, drummer Bill Bruford, guitarist Allan Holdsworth and others of note, subsequently led to clinical and educational ambitions. In the 70s and 80s, Berlin, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke set the bar by establishing new paradigms for a future generation of bassists. Here, Berlin delves into unadulterated jazz landscapes via these standards, recorded live in the studio.
Berlin and pianist Richard Drexler share the soloing duties as the latter, also multitasks on acoustic bass at key intervals. The trio whirls through these time-honored works with a deterministic gait, intertwined with lyrically resplendent choruses. Berlin’s remarkably fluent single note lead lines are designed with a bop-like vibe to parallel his wily reengineering of a given melody.
On Miles Davis’ “Solar,” the bassist fuses chutzpah with soul-drenched inflections as the band playfully tears down the primary theme, then launches into a brisk swing vamp. Moreover, first-call session drummer Danny Gottlieb sustains a crisp and peppery flow throughout the program. In effect, Berlin’s magic-touch comprises dazzling execution amid a silky smooth touch and harmonically appealing improvisations.
Few bassists have the ability to act as a lead voice, yet this album is not a forum for Berlin to simply flaunt his monstrous technique. Consequently, it’s a seamless blend of fire and ice, complemented by acutely-placed dynamics and nuance. More importantly, the trio projects an aura that conveys a sense of good will and a take no prisoner’s line of attack. – Glenn Astarita
Musicians: Jeff Berlin (bass); Richard Drexler (keyboards); Danny Gottlieb (drums)
Groovin' High, Nardis, I Want to Be Happy, Body & Soul, Solar, Invitation, If I Were a Bell, Valses Nobles et Sentimentales no. IV, Someday My Prince Will Come.
Artist's Website: http://www.jeffberlinmusic.com & www.myspace.com/jeffberlin
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