William James
2013-04-12 02:38:45 UTC
For Immediate Release
Virtuoso Electric Bassist JEFF BERLIN To Release LOW STANDARDS
On RANDOM ACT RECORDS
Available April 16
Tampa, FL - 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
ADAM’S APPLE 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
Random Act Records, USA
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
As with all Random Act Records Releases, 10% of proceeds from LOW
STANDARDS will be donated to charity. This release will benefit the
good works of the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation
(www.dratlasfoundation.com)
Virtuoso Electric Bassist JEFF BERLIN To Release LOW STANDARDS
On RANDOM ACT RECORDS
Available April 16
Tampa, FL - 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
ADAM’S APPLE 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
Random Act Records, USA
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
As with all Random Act Records Releases, 10% of proceeds from LOW
STANDARDS will be donated to charity. This release will benefit the
good works of the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation
(www.dratlasfoundation.com)