Music on Our Radar
Virtuoso Electric Bassist Jeff Berlin to Release LOW STANDARDS
Virtuoso Electric Bassist Jeff Berlin to Release LOW STANDARDS…
JEFF BERLIN has been called the greatest electric bass soloist in the world. While the terms “great” and “genius” are bantered about much too frequently, the accolades for Jeff Berlin are not hyperbolical – Jeff is indisputably one of the best bass players to ever play his chosen instrument. Geddy Lee (bass player for RUSH) calls Jeff “The greatest bass player on the planet,” while the late Jaco Pastorius considered Berlin a better soloist than he was. Known worldwide for his innovative style, Jeff has graced bandstands and recordings with legendary players like Bill Bruford, Dennis Chambers, Neil Peart, Billy Cobham, and Allan Holdsworth, and has led bands and recorded his own CDs for nearly 30 years. He has recorded for vocalists Patti Austin and KD Lang; he has traversed the progressive rock realm with former YES members Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe; Jeff famously turned down an offer to join rockers VAN HALEN. Jeff is also hailed outside the usual musician ranks: Actor Gary Sinise (also a bassist) is one of his biggest fans, and renowned boxing trainer and ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas refers to Jeff as “the best in the business.” From straight ahead Jazz to Fusion to Prog-Rock: Jeff plays it all, always at the very highest level of proficiency and musicality.
On his debut release on RANDOM ACT RECORDS, Jeff and his incredible cohorts, Acoustic Bassist//Pianist Richard Drexler and Drummer Mike Clark, offer a sizzling set of Jazz standards. Drexler, one of the most versatile of jazz players, nimbly switches from upright bass to acoustic piano, or vice versa, on most tracks. Having performed for years with Berlin, his walking lines and supportive grooves perfectly blend with the leader’s electric voice. Clark’s percussion discussions are legendary: Initially making a mark on the international scene with Herbie Hancock’s funkified Headhunters, Mike is a jazz warrior at heart. Together, the trio present unique versions of strong material culled from the Jazz songbook.
Jeff comments about the inspiration behind LOW STANDARDS: “I wanted to play on a four stringed electric bass as a guitarist or pianist might play in the same situation. The concept of this CD was to leave me completely exposed as a player. On this recording, there was no way to hide from my present abilities as a bassist. Great players are always exposed in their abilities to play. For this reason, I always had Gary Burton or Keith Jarrett somewhere in my mind while I was recording the CD, wondering if they might play like I did if they played my instrument.”
Wayne Shorter, perhaps the most heralded of modern jazz composers, is well represented: Berlin and company burn on three of Shorter’s beguiling concoctions. “E.S.P.” kicks off the set, with Berlin stating the melody and Drexler’s bass lines walking in rhythm with Clark’s swinging ride cymbal. After Jeff amply illustrates his penchant for unmatched melodic improvisation, his electric instrument skips in tandem with Clark as Drexler moves to the ivories. On six of eight cuts, the trio represents as a quartet, thanks to Drexler’s multi-instrumental skills. Next up is “El Gaucho,” first heard on Shorter’s album. To complete the Shorter trilogy, the trio speaks no evil as they soar through “Fee Fi Fo Fum.” Berlin is the giant here, ingeniously stating the melody before launching into an astute improvisation. Drexler sticks to the upright, soloing with thoughtful elegance. One of only two piano-less tracks of the set, this outing touches all the basses, exposing new facets of Wayne’s compositional gem.
Fellow electric bassist Steve Swallow’s “Falling Grace” is awash in harmonic beauty; as on every track, Jeff reinforces the accolades accorded him by legions of fellow musicians. His distinctive voice on the electric is organic – It belies those who disdain a bass that requires an outlet. Swallow’s longtime partner Carla Bley penned “Vashkar,” a tune probably more associated with drummer Tony Williams and his groundbreaking group Lifetime. Drexler opens, and stays, at the piano; Berlin strives for new lows; Clark’s hi-hat and snare interplay nods to Tony.
Pianist Bill Evans’ lilting “Very Early” awakes with a more extroverted treatment compared to the composer’s retrospective approach. Benny Golson’s “Whisper Not” swings with Jeff speaking first, Richard eschewing the piano while soloing with his own low tones while Mike tips lightly. The stellar session closes with Pat Metheny’s modern classic “James,” the guitarist’s homage to one Mr. Taylor. Richard Drexler’s stately pianistic introduction leads to Jeff Berlin effortlessly executing the gorgeous melody, as Mike Clark ably supports the proceedings. The album appropriately concludes with Jeff’s unique, sustained ringing tone.
Jeff explains his song selections for his new release: “Because I am such a huge fan of Keith Jarrett’s ‘Standards’ CDs, I wanted to follow my last project, HIGH STANDARDS, with another standards recording, but this time playing on lesser-known tunes, lesser known to the general public… However, Jazz fans should know every tune that I chose to play. I chose compositions with lots of harmony so that I was forced to seek out non-typical bass lines. The harmony in these tunes demanded that I find something different to play on my bass. I also heard in my head how each composer played their own songs, often while we were recording. That was a strange experience.”
LOW STANDARDS is obviously an ironic title for an album that achieves such a pinnacle of musicality. Seldom, if ever, has the combination of two bass clef compadres created such a harmonious marriage of tone, verve and vigor. With this latest effort, Jeff Berlin proves, once again, that his is the highest standard of virtuosity in the low-end spectrum.
LOW STANDARDS Release April 16, 2013
Jeff Berlin LOW STANDARDS CD can be purchased at Amazon.com, iTunes, and at most music stores.
For more information:
Random Act Records: www.randomactrecords.com
Jeff Berlin: www.jeffberlinmusic.com
I am always impressed by the many things Mike Pope does, so needless to say, I was eager to give his new album, The Parts You Keep, a listen.
Mike has assembled an extraordinary group of musicians to bring this project to life… including his own mother, Ann Almond Pope, who is 85 years young and still gracing the world with her beautiful classical piano playing. Together, they present us with nine stunning tracks, each one carefully curated to create a seamless journey. The lineup is a thoughtful balance of original compositions, jazz standards reimagined, and a classical finale that ties everything together with grace. Every piece is executed with brilliance, as each musician brings powerhouse artistry to the table. And of course, bassists will be thrilled… Mike serves up a feast of tasty bass work throughout the album.
This collection is living proof that jazz is not only alive and well but thriving in fresh and inspired ways. The standards carry Mike’s unique touch, familiar yet transformed through his evolved approach, making them distinctly his own. The original compositions are rich, immaculately crafted, and tell expansive musical stories that unfold like epic tales of jazz.
Then, just when you think the album couldn’t surprise you further, the final two tracks arrive… featuring Mike’s mom on piano. These beautifully classical pieces wrap around the listener like a warm embrace, encouraging you to simply close your eyes and let the music wash over you.
On a personal note, hearing this collaboration between Mike and his mother resonates deeply. It makes me think about how special it would have been to share a performance with my own mom and offer that gift to the world. It’s heartwarming, inspiring, and something I can’t help but smile about with every note.
For more behind-the-scenes details about the making of this album, don’t miss my full interview with Mike: Mike Pope: Preserving a Family Music Legacy (Sep/Oct Issue)
In the end, The Parts You Keep is not just an album… It’s a solid musical masterpiece that deserves a place in every music lover’s collection.
The Parts You Keep is Available online at Amazon.com
Bass CDs
Album Review: Live at the Belly Up Tavern, Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band – June 11, 2023
Album Review: Live at the Belly Up Tavern – Ross Schodek on Bass…
Having lived in the Caribbean for 18 years, I developed a deep love for what’s commonly known as Latin Jazz. Over the years, I’ve heard countless performances, from up-and-coming neighborhood bands to world-class professionals. Among the many artists I’ve followed, Poncho Sanchez has long been one of my favorites, so I was thrilled to dive into this new live album.
Recorded at the iconic Belly Up Tavern on June 11, 2023, and released April 4, 2025, this album captures the energy of a live performance while maintaining superb sound quality. In the past, live recordings often suffered from muddled mixes or poor balance, but the engineers here really nailed it. Every instrument and vocal is crisp and clear, with just the right touch of ambient crowd noise to keep the live vibe alive without becoming distracting.
As a conguero, Poncho’s conga playing is front and center throughout the album, anchoring each track with his signature rhythmic drive. The congas are complemented beautifully by bongos, timbales, and other essential percussion instruments, creating the rich rhythmic layers that define Latin Jazz. The bass, tightly interwoven with the percussion, offers plenty of standout moments for fellow bass enthusiasts like myself. I’ve always loved the syncopated pulse of this genre, and the band delivers it with impeccable timing and precision.
The album features ten well-crafted tracks that showcase a range of time signatures and influences, particularly the Afro-Antillean roots that are central to Latin Jazz. Each track is both musically engaging and undeniably danceable, with solid arrangements that provide a perfect stage for the band’s exceptional musicianship.
If I had to pick a standout, it would be “Night Dream,” which is played in a challenging, rarely-heard tempo. Be sure to stay tuned through to the final track, as that’s where bassist Ross Schodek delivers an excellent solo that serves as the perfect closing note for bass lovers.
Live at the Belly Up Tavern is the kind of album you’ll want to enjoy with a cold drink in hand, letting it transport you straight into the heart of the performance. It’s a vibrant, live experience you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Live at the Belly Up Tavern is available at Amazon.com
Mark Egan, Cross Currents…
It is exciting every time I get a new album from Mark Egan as he is such an amazingly versatile player and I never know what to expect (except for excellent artistry!) In his latest release, Mark has teamed up with Shawn Peyton on drums and Shane Theriot on guitar to bring us “Cross Currents”.
This collection of eleven tracks transports me to the Gulf Coast (New Orleans specifically). Mark’s fretless basses lay down a solid groove and lots of juicy solo work for this rootsy collection of funk, ambient, swamp-rock, second line, ballads, Cajun and even Indian Raga.
This trio is super-tight and the musicianship is flawless as each member has ample opportunity to shine. Even though each player is very talented in their own right, I feel that the collective energy is greater than just the sum of the players on this album. Each musician contributed to composing music for this project but the lion’s share are Mark’s original pieces.
I spent the summer of 1981 in New Orleans and this wonderful music takes me back to those fond memories. I participated in a wacky raft race on Lake Ponchatrain and this opening track elicits images of fun, sunshine, music, and great food.
This is another superb album that everyone will enjoy. Get your copy today! Cross Currents is available online at Amazon.com. Visit Mark online at markegan.com.
Brian Bromberg, LaFaro…
Scott LaFaro was an extraordinary upright bass player who we lost in 1961 at the age of 25. Even though he was a young bassist he worked with the Bill Evans Trio from 1959 to 1961; he was an exceptional musician and his bass work was lightyears ahead of his time.
Brian Bromberg has teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero to produce a tribute album to this legendary player. We are treated to a dozen tracks (with three bonus tracks on the digital platforms) that were Bill Evans Trio standards. While the original band’s work inspired Brian, this tribute album is not an attempt by the musicians to replicate the music but to organically express themselves on these tunes. When you listen, you may note that it doesn’t sound like LaFaro and it isn’t supposed to.
As I have noted on many of Brian’s previous albums, the bass work (all upright here) is extraordinary and he knows how to get a crystal-clear sound. Every note is pristine and balanced perfectly with the piano and drums. Brian’s approach to recording upright bass should be the golden standard for all upright players. He also handpicked the other members of this trio and they are excellent musicians who really deliver the goods.
If you would like more insight into this album, I can share that in my cover interview with Brian, coming soon.
The projected album release date is April 5, 2024, and will be available at www.brianbromberg.net
Bassist Gabriel Espinosa was inspired by the music he grew up with in Yucatan, Mexico, and now brings us a collection of ten tracks on Bossas and Boleros.
Six of these tunes on Bossas and Boleros are his original compositions. As you might expect from the title, some of these tunes fit in a kind of retro/romantic category whereas others are in a kind of soft Latin jazz vein. Interestingly, Gabriel also found inspiration in current events and translated them into musical interludes.
Gabriel assembled an excellent collection of musicians to bring this album to life and his bass playing is solid and precise but not flashy. His playing compliments the music in a noticeable way but is very balanced in the overall mix. The compositions are intricate and quite lovely with a generous helping of Latin tempos. I especially enjoyed his vocal rendition of “Aqui Estoy Yo” where he sings with just a piano. It is a rare treat to actually hear a bass player’s voice in a tune.
The great thing about this album is it’s universal appeal as it is not all about the bass. Everyone can relate to a collection of beautiful music and it’s excellent execution. This album is perfect to listen to while you enjoy a glass of wine with a loved one as you watch the sunset. Listening made me feel both relaxed and happy and that are feelings we all want to share.
Bossas and Boleros is available on Amazon.com
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