Three CD reviews.....

[Roy Vogt]

Hi all,
Here is a repost from my Thunder Row website of my favorite Bass CDs of the Summer. Enjoy! You can also read the review at the site:
http://www.thunderrow.com/content.ph...-Killer-CDs-21

I've had 3 CDs rotating in my car CD player and ripped to my Ipod lately. If you're in need of a recharge by listening to some fine bassists play even finer Music these come highly recommended:
The Stanley Clarke Band-Stanley Clarke www.stanleyclarke.com (Heads Up Records) Just released-I saw a configuration of this band in Nashville in April and they absolutely killed! Added into the mix is Japanese fusion phenom Hiromi on piano and composition (Labyrinth) a bevy of fine LA gutarists and saxophonists.Guitarist Charles Alura stands out on the homage to the Halcyon Days of Fusion titled "Larry has Travelled 11 Miles and Waited a Lifetime for the Return of Vishnu's Report" (a thoroughly tongue in cheek play on words using the names of pre-eminent Fusion bands of the early and mid-70s). Bob Sheppard shines on tenor sax on the hard-swinging Sonny Rollins. The core band of pianist Ruslan Sirota and drum prodigy Ronald Bruner, Jr. hang tight with their leader and Stanley delivers some of the strongest performances on electric bass I've heard from him in quite some time. My personal favorite is the electric/reggae take on Chick Corea's "No Mystery". I can't get this one out of my CD changer!
Higher Standards-Jeff Berlin (MAJ) www.jeffberlinmusic.com The often-controversial maestro of the 4 string bass puts his money (and his music) where his mouth is and delivers a masterful set of Jazz Standards like "Nardis", "I Want to Be Happy", and the iconic Tenor Sax warhorse "Body and Soul". I love hearing master improvisors taking on Standards-it's like hearing your favorite Actor performing Shakespeare. You know the story, but it's a special treat to hear how your favorite performer tells it. Jeff is doing what he arguably does better than anyone on the planet, navigating slippery changes so superbly you feel he's transcended the technical limitations of the 4 string electric bass. Get this one, pull up a copy of the Real Book and study how the Maestro works-truly inspirational! Kudos also the Jeff's band-the ridiculously talented Richard Drexler on piano and upright bass and former Pat Metheny and Al Dimeola drummer and current Elements co-leader (with bassist Mark Egan) Danny Gottlieb. The trio swings hard, hangs tight with Jeff and creates some fine Jazz. This would be a stocking stuffer for your favorite cranky upright bassist who thinks the electric bass is "just a toy" this coming Holiday Season.
Chamber Music Society-Esperanza Spalding (Heads Up) www.esperanzaspalding.com
Heads Up seems to have become Bass Central these days (sorry Beaver!) with Stanley, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, bass supergroup SMV, The Yellowjackets, Gerald Veasley , The Jaco Pastorius Big Band and now Esperanza Spalding. Esperanza took the Jazz World by storm with her previous effort and now she ventures into the realm of Jaco and Charles Mingus. No longer content to be a dynamite voice on bass and superb vocalist, she offers the most sophisticated arrangements and compositions of her short career. With the core trio of Terry Lyne Carrington on drums and pianist Leo Genovese and a string trio (Entcho Todorov-violin, Lois Martin-viola and David Eggar-cello). Gretchen Parlato helps out on voice and the great Brazilian Music Legend Milton Nascimento contributes his voice and presence to "Apple Blossom" Of course, Esperanza sings like an angel as well as playing great, lyrical upright bass solos. With an August 17th street date you'll want to get this one for sure. It may very well be her "Word of Mouth"-a second effort that announces that the Composer has arrived and joined the Bass/Vocal Phenomenon.
If you have any interest in the Jazzier side of the Bass World or just want to stretch the ol' ears these CDs are essential Summer listening. Enjoy!

[LaBassGuy]

I am listening to:

Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. The songwriting is really top notch. His melodies and chord progressions exhibit a maturity that's lacking in other young artists--those that tend to strum a few chords on the guitar while whining.

Chick Corea, Return to Forever. The second track is the weakest point. Everything else is exceptional. La Fiesta is a classic. Stanley Clarke lays down solid grooves. Just a great album.

Jobim and Elis Regina, Tom & Elis. A classic Brazilian album. I love every song on there. But I wish they were longer. Some songs are as short as 1:30. When you are finally getting into the song, it sends.

[Roy Vogt]

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

I am listening to:

Jason Mraz, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. The songwriting is really top notch. His melodies and chord progressions exhibit a maturity that's lacking in other young artists--those that tend to strum a few chords on the guitar while whining.

Chick Corea, Return to Forever. The second track is the weakest point. Everything else is exceptional. La Fiesta is a classic. Stanley Clarke lays down solid grooves. Just a great album.

Jobim and Elis Regina, Tom & Elis. A classic Brazilian album. I love every song on there. But I wish they were longer. Some songs are as short as 1:30. When you are finally getting into the song, it sends.

Fine stuff. I just posted these as they are fairly new albums. Love Jason's writing (although I wish prospective Brides and Grooms would give "I'm Yours" a rest as a first dance). Not everyone is aware that Chick and Co. recorded for ECM for one album before moving to Polydor. I'll have to check out the Jobim-I'm a major "Brazil nut" with my faves being Milton Nascimento and Ivan Lins.

[VroomVroom]

Great stuff - thanks for sharing this. And as someone who has played "I'm Yours" 1,108 times (I may be exaggerating, but only by a few) in the past year...echo.

Also, wonderful to hear Bob Sheppard's name. Coincidentally, just yesterday I caught a couple of youtube clips of him playing...with Herbie Hancock and Mike Stern. In any case, the Stanley Clarke and Esperanza Spalding CD's are definitely on my short list. I'm still kinda-sorta-iffy on the Jeff Berlin release, although I am a huge fan of Danny Gottlieb...I've always thought he was one of the unsung heroes...a drummer's drummer, if you will, akin to Jeff Andrews being a bass player's bass player, IMO.

Thanks again!

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

Jobim and Elis Regina, Tom & Elis. A classic Brazilian album. I love every song on there. But I wish they were longer. Some songs are as short as 1:30. When you are finally getting into the song, it sends.

Agua de Marcos

[noahw1]

Thanks for the reviews. I've been thinking about grabbing both Stanley and Jeff's new ones.
I just picked up Garaj Majal "Blueberry Cave" which is smoking! Kai Eckhardt is such a great player and the whole band is just cooking.
Also the Derek Trucks Band "Songlines" that is also very good. Solid!

[JimK]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Also, wonderful to hear Bob Sheppard's name. Coincidentally, just yesterday I caught a couple of youtube clips of him playing...with Herbie Hancock and Mike Stern.

Agreed. Great player that fits into many different things...if possible, check out Tribal Tech's early releases for more Bob Sheppard. I'm pretty sure I have a Bob Sheppard solo disc...it's a Post Bop/acoustic Jazz blowing session, IIRC. Just checked: It's Tell Tale Signs with Billy Childs & Tommy Brechtlein.

[VroomVroom]

Originally Posted by JimK

Agreed. Great player that fits into many different things...if possible, check out Tribal Tech's early releases for more Bob Sheppard. I'm pretty sure I have a Bob Sheppard solo disc...it's a Post Bop/acoustic Jazz blowing session, IIRC. Just checked: It's Tell Tale Signs with Billy Childs & Tommy Brechtlein.

Ok, six degrees of separation here. Aside from Tribal Tech, my favorite link between Bob Sheppard and Gary Willis is from a 1991/2 album by Jude Swift, 'Common Ground.' Great album, with some fine players. Willis handled all the electric work, while Tony Dumas laid down some incredibly funky (and beautiful, on a couple of ballads) upright playing. One tune in particular was a milestone for me. "Wise to It." Funky Cm groove, with Gary Willis just weaving masterfully around Land Richards, and out of nowhere you're hit with a wicked soprano solo by Sheppard. Amazing. Thanks for firing the synapses and bringing back the memories. I know what I'm listening to tonight.