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Originally Posted by Foo-O-Matic Hello, as you can see I'm looking for a recommendation for an album by Jonas Hellborg... but without Shawn Lane. I just don't like Lane's sound and playing style.
I saw Hellborg in a video long time ago playing a double-necked bass with John McLaughlin and really loved it. Overall im looking for something with Jazz or Ethnic music, or just something particularly interesting.
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Believe me, if you are talking about the Shawn Lane that recorded Powers Of Ten and The Tritone Fascination, then what he does with Hellborg is almost like listening to a whole new player (albeit with the same finesse and soul).
I simply cannot go by a Hellborg thread without reccommending Good People In Times Of Evil. The whole thing is achingly beautiful.
Jonas has come so far, but Elegant Punk is a must for any Hellborg fan. Not only does it score highly as an innovative, astounding piece of jazz fusion, it is perhaps the first solo-bass record. Astoundingly innovative stuff, from the chrodal, harmonically rich pieces such as Rosa and the groove-tastic "Glad To be Back From Paris" to slap pieces and a bombastic cover of Little Wing.
If you're looking for ethnic music, I would reccomend you seek out Aram of the Two Rivers, a live set of Jonas playing with Syrian folk musicians. The interaction between them is beautiful to behold, and especially in a rhythmic sense the album is a joy to behold. Like that album as I do, I much prefer Hellborg's indian fusion to his Syrian fusion!
His "indo-fusion" work is simply beautiful. It's a real credit to Jonas that he's able to express himself so beautifully and fluently in this style. Kali's son is his latest solo album featuring Selva and Niladri Kumar on Sitar/Zitar. It has some great stuff on it!
If you're ready to sit down and really "think" on an album, Icon is a real winner. All of the songs apart from the last one are epics, real musical journeys! The last track, Escape, is a beautifully uplifting piece of music. It suggests, in a sense, that "Escape" is a postive thing, such is the tone of the piece. It really does affect you on a higher plane than most music.
I've also got "Abstract Logic" for my birthday, so jsut a few days left til I unwrap that one and indulge in more of one of my favourite bassist's works!
One album that I would perhaps suggest you avoid though is "E" by the Jonas Hellborg Group. It's a really abrasive album, full of heavy slap parts laid over pounding drums and some rather eccentic keyboard improvisations that takes a good few listens to break into. Thats not to say it's a bad album-when you "get" it you'll be working out slap grooves for weeks!
Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with Hellborg. Love it!
PS: His stuff with Mahavishnu was brilliant too, a high point for the band!
