{"id":2881,"date":"2013-04-09T04:56:50","date_gmt":"2013-04-09T04:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skylight.gr\/administrator_wordpress\/index.php\/2013\/04\/09\/virtuoso-electric-bassist-jeff-berlin-to-release-low-standards-on-random-act-records\/"},"modified":"2013-04-09T04:56:50","modified_gmt":"2013-04-09T04:56:50","slug":"virtuoso-electric-bassist-jeff-berlin-to-release-low-standards-on-random-act-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/index.php\/2013\/04\/09\/virtuoso-electric-bassist-jeff-berlin-to-release-low-standards-on-random-act-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtuoso Electric Bassist JEFF BERLIN To Release ‘LOW STANDARDS’ On RANDOM ACT RECORDS"},"content":{"rendered":"


JEFF BERLIN has been called the greatest electric bass soloist in the world. While the terms \u201cgreat\u201d and \u201cgenius\u201d are bantered about much too frequently, the accolades for Jeff Berlin are not hyperbolical \u2013 Jeff is indisputably one of the best bass players to ever play his chosen instrument. Geddy Lee (bass player for RUSH) calls Jeff \u201cThe greatest bass player on the planet,\u201d 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 \u201cthe best in the business.\u201d From straight ahead Jazz to Fusion to Prog-Rock: Jeff plays it all, always at the very highest level of proficiency and musicality.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s electric voice. Clark\u2019s percussion discussions are legendary: Initially making a mark on the international scene with Herbie Hancock\u2019s funkified Headhunters, Mike is a jazz warrior at heart. Together, the trio present unique versions of strong material culled from the Jazz songbook.<\/p>\n

Jeff comments about the inspiration behind LOW STANDARDS: \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wayne Shorter, perhaps the most heralded of modern jazz composers, is well represented: Berlin and company burn on three of Shorter\u2019s beguiling concoctions. \u201cE.S.P.\u201d kicks off the set, with Berlin stating the melody and Drexler\u2019s bass lines walking in rhythm with Clark\u2019s 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\u2019s multi-instrumental skills. Next up is \u201cEl Gaucho,\u201d first heard on Shorter\u2019s ADAM\u2019S APPLE album. To complete the Shorter trilogy, the trio speaks no evil as they soar through \u201cFee Fi Fo Fum.\u201d 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\u2019s compositional gem.<\/p>\n

Fellow electric bassist Steve Swallow\u2019s \u201cFalling Grace\u201d 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 \u2013 It belies those who disdain a bass that requires an outlet. Swallow\u2019s longtime partner Carla Bley penned \u201cVashkar,\u201d 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\u2019s hi-hat and snare interplay nods to Tony.<\/p>\n

Pianist Bill Evans\u2019 lilting \u201cVery Early\u201d awakes with a more extroverted treatment compared to the composer\u2019s retrospective approach. Benny Golson\u2019s \u201cWhisper Not\u201d 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\u2019s modern classic \u201cJames,\u201d the guitarist\u2019s homage to one Mr. Taylor. Richard Drexler\u2019s 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\u2019s unique, sustained ringing tone.<\/p>\n

Jeff explains his song selections for his new release: \u201cBecause 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

LOW STANDARDS Release April 16, 2013
Random Act Records, USA<\/p>\n

Jeff Berlin LOW STANDARDS CD can be purchased at Amazon.com, iTunes, and at most music stores.<\/p>\n

For more information:
Random Act Records: www.randomactrecords.com
Jeff Berlin: www.jeffberlinmusic.com<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Sources:
www.randomactrecords.com
www.jeffberlinmusic.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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