PDF Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine ~
Jeff Berlin
“High Standards” (www.jeffberlinmusic.com)
Iconic 4-string virtuoso Jeff Berlin has released an ambitious album of standards in a trio setting. Accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Richard Drexler on both bass and piano and Danny Gottlieb on drums, Jeff definitely takes center stage and gives us his trademark chorus-saturated tone and dextrous horn-like solos. The playing throughout is phenomenal. I must say that the tone of Jeff’s bass, while trademark and distinct, left me missing the warmth and esthetic depth of the upright bass. This music kind of begs to be played in an acoustic setting, or more heavily interpreted when done with an electric.
That minor gripe aside, Jeff’s walking, melodic phrasing and solo ideas are a cut above and the trio is smoking. I especially enjoyed the tracks which found Richard Drexler covering the low end on his upright bass (Jeff’s tone made more sense to my ears with that deep bottom supporting it).
This may be more of a bass players album, although the group interplay is wonderful and all are featured nicely simply by virtue of Jeff’s more horn-like tone. The tone works wonders during the solo sections and we could all do well to study his approach and transcribe Jeff’s work here but, as a replacement for the more traditional voice of the upright with this music, I’m still longing for the low end just a bit.
Damian Erskine has written 160 articles in BMM.
Damian Erskine is not your ordinary bass player. While not touring, Damian hones his chops with some of the best jazz and latin musicians the West coast has to offer. Damian is known for his ability to fit into any musical situation and his extraordinary reading and improvising skills. Damian has played in the studio or on the stage with the likes of • Peter Erskine • Teri-Lynn Carrington • Gino Vannelli • John Ellis • Shawn Pelton • Sveti w/ Marko Djordjevic • Luis Conte • Brandon Ross • Les McCann • Jeff Lorber • Vardan Ovsepian • Charmaine Neville • Jessy J • Luis Perdomo • Tony Furtado • Kate Schutt • Bobby Torres • Alan Jones • Patrick Lamb • Dan Balmer • Klezmocracy and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com "Shed Sessionz Vol. 1" DVD. Whether playing as a sideman or with his own group, he is known for his rock solid bass work, virtuosic solos and thoughtful chordal abilities.
Visit Online:
MySpaceRelated posts:
