Brian Bromberg - 2002 "Jaco"

 Jaco Pastorious was the most innovative electric bassist to emerge from the productive 70's Fusion era. His master of technique, groove and musical attitude is second to none. He inspired a long list of followers who changed their axes to fretless and proceded to co-op his unique style of playing. Brian Bromberb neatly fell into the "Jaco inspired" catagory until he rediscovered his upright bass and set off to create his own unique style of playing in both the traditional jazz setting and the more popular smooth Jazz setting.
Paying tribute to the master bassist, Bromberb manages to capture the three different sides to Jaco's bass vocabulary. The soul-strutting Jaco is represented by "Come On, Come Over", with blasting horns and driving grooves. The big band Jaco is well presented by lovely arrangements on "Continuum", "A Remark You Made", "Three Views of A Secret" and "The Chicken". On these tracks, Brian's acoustic bass is gorgeous. Laying down fat tones that dance around the horns, he plays with a lot of depth and feeling that is not as present on his other basses. Here is where he really captures the spirit of Jaco's genius. "Portrait of Tracy" has a nice string arrangement that gives the piece a beautiful classical touch. "Tears" looses steam early as it dives into the smooth jazz array, while "Teen Town" (A Jaco burner) is slowed down to a lite disco pace that zaps the energy right out of this tune. "Slang" is a tribute to the pryrotechnique Jaco - using tapping and false harmonics to show off skill and bravado.
Jaco would have been proud of this tribute. It is honest and true to his unique spirit of playing. Brian Bromberg is a master bassist in his own right - but his star is brightest on the upright bass. It is there, where he forges his best ideals and plays with the kind of passion that pushes Pastorious' legacy to the next level. A great effort, that Jaco fans would be proud to add to their collection.

The jazz fusion that Weather Report and Jaco Pastorius symbolized has influenced countless contemporary artists. Bassist Brian Bromberg pays homage to Pastorius’ brief benchmark career through hip selections that showcase the bass. Bromberg’s upfront lyricism is, without question, one of the high points in contemporary jazz. When he steps out front with upright bass on “Portrait of Tracy,” for example, the leader speaks through his instrument with a natural ease. It’s genetic. The addition of a funky horn section, lush strings, hip rhythms and surround-sound synths gives his session the kind of slant that keeps it on your mind all day long. You feel it in your bones, of course, and that’s not undesirable. Bob Mintzer takes frequent solos throughout the session. The pairing of sultry tenor and fluid bass in the spotlight makes for an exciting scene. He shares a lovely tenor ballad feature with “A Remark You Made,” on which Bromberg urges his acoustic double bass on confidently through lyrical phrases. He takes on “Slang(ish)” alone, and amasses heaps of passion. You’re reminded of a bullfight, and the thousands of fans cheering for the brave matador. For this event, however, the center of the dirt floor arena is occupied by a lone musician who leaves his imprint on the hearts and minds of those who follow.

If you look closely at this CD's cover photo of acoustic and electric bassist Brian Bromberg, you'll see that it's styled exactly like that of legendary bass player Jaco Pastorius's first solo recording from 1976. For Bromberg, who played with Stan Getz, Horace Silver, and Lee Ritenour, the magical and mercurial Pastorius was to the electric bass what Jimi Hendrix was to the guitar. On this tribute, with keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Eric Marienthal, and percussionist and (ex-Jaco bandmate) Alex Acuna, Bromberg extends and elaborates on Pastorius's unique blend of jazz fusion, world, and soul influences. Bromberg skillfully reinterprets Pastorius's brilliant bass lines on the acoustic and electric bass and changes up the groove on a number of his compositions. "Continuum" and "Three Views of a Secret" are redone with Afro-Caribbean tinges and a funky big-band feel. The two versions of "Teen Town" rock with hip-hop-friendly backbeats, while "The Chicken" and "Come On, Come Over" recall Pastorius's love for the rhythm & blues stars Sam & Dave. The tour de force of the CD is "Slang(ish)," a solo spotlight where Bromberg shows off advanced string-tapping skills that would have made his idol proud.

Brian and Jaco - perfect! Get this CD. Wear it out. I know you will. BB has jaw dropping licks, grooves the pocket and is so melodic. Tastey!

Commerically, Brian Bromberg is one of the most underrated jazz bassists though very well respected in the musician circles as a versatile bassist capable of playing anything jazz, fusion and funk. He is one of the few bassists to master the tapping technique made famous by Stanley Jordan.

On "Jaco", the great Weather Report of whom Jaco spent 6 successful, groundbreaking years, is represented with three absolute classics. Bromberg slows down the great "Teen Town" in 1/2-time and provides a very accessible and infectious funky, hip-hop groove solidifying his masterful talent. The great Bob Mintzer provides beautiful sax on the smooth, gorgeous "A Remark You Made" as well as the suite-like "Three Views Of A Secret" which Bromberg successfully upbeats the tempo from the original. Jaco's own funkified "Come On, Come Over" is refreshed with Bill Champlain and Bobby Kimball (of Toto fame) on vocals and Eric Marienthal on sax with Bromberg cleaning up on a 5-string bass. Jaco's beautiful and pervading "Continuum" and simply gorgeous "Portrait Of Tracy" continue the wonderful arrangement and musicianship of Bromberg and company. Jaco's first ever recorded song, funky "The Chicken" is superbly represented here as well. Bromberg adds some personal touches on his own-penned ballad "Tears". Perhaps the showcase of Bromberg's extraordinary musicianship is displayed on "Slang" as he taps and slaps with reckless abandon between fretted and fretless basses.

Jaco is looking down and is smiling on a job well done.....

Track listing:

Come On, Come Over     4:48
Continuum     7:40
Teen Town     4:52
A Remark You Made     6:57
Portrait Of Tracy     2:54
Three Views Of A Secret     6:12
The Chicken     3:44
Tears     5:59
Slang(ish)     4:44
Come On, Come Over (Instrumental)     4:49
Teen Town (Piccolo Bass Version)     4:52

Personnel:

Bass, [Acoustic, Fretless, Piccolo] – Brian Bromberg
Drums – Joel Taylor, Derrick (D*Loc) Walker*
Guitar – Gannin Arnold
Keyboards, Programmed By [Keyboard] – Jeff Lorber
Saxophone – Bob Mintzer, Dan Higgins, Eric Marienthal, Larry Williams
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Vocals – Bill Champlain*, Bobby Kimball
Piano, Keyboards, Arranged By [String, Loop], Programmed By – Tom Zink
Electric Piano – Jeff Lorber
Piano, Keyboards, Arranged By [Loop] – Dave Kochanski*
Organ [B3] – Gregg Mathison*
Trombone – Andy Martin
Percussion – Alex Acuna*
Strings – Students Of USC Symphony Orchestra*
Steel Drums – Chris Wabich