René
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Great return to Berlin's jazz-rock years
JEFF BERLIN
Aneurythms
(M.A.J. RECORDS ANE-80180 / CDBABY.COM)
Vinnie Colaiuta’s super tight drum-parts and Jeff Berlin’s forcing bass-pattern in Porky & Beans from Aneurythms, Berlin’s new album, promise a return to his jazz-rock orientated work from olden days, after a couple of albums on which he ventilated his vision on modern jazz. The sharp guitar-solo from Gannin Arnold strengthen this suspicion, while Otmaro Ruiz’ shrieking synthesizers feed this speculation even more. Still, jazz is never far away, which especially Richard Drexler shows during clear piano-solo’s in amongst others Saab Story and Miss Management. As usual Berlin brings in a piece of work which is strongly based on classical music (read: Bach); the beautiful construction of Ars Longa Vita Brevis, full of short passages which seems to come from diverse registers from a church-organ, almost sounds symphonic, especially when it reaches its climax with heavy guitar-chords and a full sounding Hammond. Lapp Dance also has a classical touch, although more in its stateliness: the stylish, modest theme, played by strings, acoustic guitar, bass and piano, returns frequently, interrupted by amongst others a quite keyboard-solo with long lasting notes. Even more stylish is A Mark You Remade, which connoisseurs will without doubt unmask as an ingenious ballad, inspired by Weather Report’s A Remark You Made. Although Berlin doesn’t play a fretless bass, he produces a beautiful, legato played melody, while lovers of his old band with Bill Bruford also might think they recognize something from a track like Forever Until Sunday in the refined keyboard-solo. Despite the high quality of all musicians (from which we should mention specifically the contributions on acoustic bass from college bass-hero (and producer) Brian Bromberg) Aneurythms is mostly a relaxed affair, in which there’s a lot of space to solo, without changing into a freak-show.
Information: www.cdbaby.com/jeffberlin and www.myspace.com/jeffberlin
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Dubmania
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Really nicely done!
Jeff is one of the best bass players on the planet. I saw the BX3 show here in Minneapolis, it was really a great show. Jeff can sing, play like a madman and has a great sense of humor. Definately a jazz geek, but one of the best. A treasure and a pleasure to listen to. Thanks Jeff!!
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