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Brian Bromberg: Thicker Than Water

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Artistry Music
Released: 2018.07.13
Time:
 67:04
Category: Jazz, Contemporary Jazz
Producer(s): Brian Bromberg
Rating:
Media type: CD
Web address: www.brianbromberg.net
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2020
Price in €: 1,00





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Is That The Best You Can Do? (B.Bromberg) - 5:36
[2] Minneapolis, 1987 (B.Bromberg) - 5:59
[3] Thicker Than Water (B.Bromberg/Z.Bromberg) - 6:32
[4] Coupe De Ville [Intro] (B.Bromberg) - 1:27
[5] Coupe De Ville (B.Bromberg) - 6:05
[6] Changes (B.Bromberg/Z.Bromberg) - 3:27
[7] Trials And Tribulations (B.Bromberg) - 7:46
[8] It's Called Life (Intro) (B.Bromberg) - 2:12
[9] It's Called Life (For Mom) (B.Bromberg) - 6:00
[10] Uh-Huh (B.Bromberg) - 7:07
[11] Your Eyes (B.Bromberg) - 5:58
[12] Land Of The Rising Sun (B.Bromberg) - 6:35
[13] A Familia (B.Bromberg) - 2:13

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Brian Bromberg - Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Piccolo Bass, Engineer, Arrangements, Producer

Franklin Richardson III - Drums on [1-3,5-7,9-12]
Tom Zink - Piano on [6], Keyboards on [1,2,5,7,9,11], String Arrangements on [9,11,12]
Brian Simpson - Keyboards on [3]
Zach Bromberg - Keyboards & Loops on [3,6]
George Duke - Electric Piano on [10]
Gannin Arnold - Guitar on [1,3,6,7,9-12]
Paul Jackson Jr. - Rhythm Guitar on [2,5]
Mark Hollingsworth - Bamboo Flute on [12]
Mark Visher - Alto & Baritone Saxophone on [10]
June Kuramoto - Koto on [12]
Alex Acuña - Percussion on [11,12]
Lenny Castro - Percussion on [1-3,5-7,9-12]
Doug Webb - Saxophone on [1,2,5,7]
Marion Meadows - Soprano Saxophone on [11]
Brandon Fields - Tenor Saxophone on [2,9]
Everette Harp - Tenor Saxophone on [1]
Gary Meek - Tenor Saxophone on [10]
Najee - Tenor Saxophone on [3,5]
Vince Trombetta - Tenor Saxophone on [10]
Jason Thor - Trombone on [10]
Nick Lane - Trombone on [1,2,5,7]
Lee Thornburg - Trumpet on [1,2,5,7]
Randy Brecker - Trumpet on [10]
Tony Guerrero - Trumpet on [10]
Willie Murillo - Trumpet on [10]
The Rising Sun Orchestra - String Orchestra on [7,9,11,12]
Andrew Neu - Horn Arrangements on [1,5]
Nathan Tanouye - Horn Arrangements on [2,7,10], String Arrangements on [7]

Denny Stilwell - Executive-Producer
Gretchen Valade - Executive-Producer
Tom McCauley - Engineer, Mixing, Mastering
Raj Naik - Photography, Creative Director, Design
Will Wakefield - Production Manager

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


2018 CD Artistry Music - ART7056

Recorded at Be Squared Studios and Slice of Heaven studios.



Upchurch, Michel Legrand, Shirley Horn and many others. Bromberg is also a producer, arranger, composer and engineer – he composed or co-composed all the tunes on this album, and co-engineered this recording.

Bromberg has released around 20 albums under his own name, and this latest, once again, highlights his desire to explore the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic possibilities offered by the bass guitar. On this album, Bromberg plays acoustic, electric (fretted and fretless) and piccolo bass. The piccolo bass is tuned like a guitar and sounds like one – the liner notes state “There are no guitar melodies or solos on this recording.” That said, guitar fills and rhythm guitar are included on ten of the tracks. There are thirteen tracks, although two of them are intro bass solos. Naturally, Bromberg’s bass playing is to the fore, and he used no fewer than eleven different basses on this recording (many tracks feature several basses). But this is no bass-fest album with long, tedious solos: Bromberg’s playing is always tasteful, and restrained when it needs to be.

The calibre of support musicians, which includes, Lenny Castro, Randy Brecker, Doug Webb, Paul Jackson Jr, Everette Harp and the late George Duke (playing on one of his last recordings) tells you all you need about the musicianship on this album. It has also been superbly recorded and mixed – the sound clarity is excellent.

The album opens on a high-energy note, starting with the jazz-funk ‘Is That The Best You Can Do?’, with its heavy slap-bass lines, followed by ‘Minneapolis’, 1978, a tribute to the fast, furious funky sound the likes of Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry
Lewis were producing in the 1980s, On both numbers, Bromberg is supported by a tight horn section, with stabs, punchy lines and gutsy sax solos (from Everette Harp and Brandon Fields respectively) underpinning the funk.

The tempo slows down for the third number, the title track written by Bromberg and his nephew Zach, which includes a fine tenor solo by Najee. ‘Coupe De Ville’ is a catchy number featuring more solo sax from Najee. The reflective ‘Changes’ features Bromberg on four basses, including a nylon string acoustic piccolo. ‘Trials And Tribulations’ is a dramatic number, cinematic in its scope. At the coda, Bromberg plays a piccolo bass solo that sounds like scorching guitar.

Fans of Bromberg’s acoustic bass playing will enjoy the short solo he plays as an intro to ‘It’s Called Life (For Mom)’ The sound of ‘UH-HuH’ reminds one of the music of George Duke (who provides an extended funky electric solo) and 1980s Miles Davis (the track includes muted trumpet).

This album starts off on a funky groove, but it ends on a more restrained note for the final three numbers. The ballad ‘Your Eyes’ features some fine playing by Marion Meadows on soprano sax, and in addition to the bass, Bromberg plays both the piano melody and solo. Bromberg’s single-note soloing on piano is simple but very effective on this lovely track.

‘Land Of The Rising Sun’, includes bamboo flutes (played by Mark Hollingsworth) and koto (played by June Kuramoto from the band Hiroshima) to evoke the sound and spirit of Japan. With sweeping strings from ‘The Rising Sun Orchestra’ and Bromberg on acoustic, fretless and acoustic piccolo basses, this six-minute number takes the listener on a joyous musical journey to the East. The album ends with ‘A Familia’ a two-minute acoustic bass solo.

This fine album deserves a wide audience. If you’re one of those people who normally listens to albums from bassists such as Marcus Miller or Stanley Clarke, you should check out Thicker Than Water, because you’ll be surprised and delighted by what you hear.

George Cole
jazzviews.net



With the top bassist Brian Bromberg you never know exactly in which direction his next work will tend. Whether smooth jazz, rock fusion, Bossa nova or contemporary jazz, one thing is certain in any case: Brian Bromberg stands for outstanding quality. His new album Thicker Than Water (2018) makes it easy to love.

The album features Najee, Everette Harp, Gary Meek, Brandon Fields (tenor sax), George Duke (electric piano), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Paul Jackson Jr. (rhythm guitar), Brian Simpson (keyboards), Marion Meadows (soprano sax),   and many more illustrious artists.

The album starts with the provocative title Is That the Best You Can Do?  When Brian stretches over the bass strings of his Kiesel B2 4 and B2 5 bass guitars the impression of a virtuoso bass solo album is condensed, but then evaporates due to the strong use of wind instruments performed by Lee Thornburg (trumpet), Doug Webb (saxes) and Nick Lane (trombone). You can be assured Brian engaged the best musicians for the best recordings, no matter the cost answering the initial question with an astounding Yes.

Minneapolis, 1987 is Brian's homage to the sound of twin cities' music scene with icons like Prince, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis or Morris Day. The term Thicker Than Water is often used in connection with blood and means nothing else than the relationship aspects are the deciding factor in the choice. In concrete Zach Bromberg is Brian's nephew and the groove master and author of the tune.

The Coupe De Ville is the classic Cadillac car that has been part or main subject of many music films. The musical realization emphasizes the luxurious full-volume design, whereby Brian takes over the guitar part with his piccolo bass. In the horn arrangement, in which Najee plays the leading role, are musical echoes of James Bond films.

With Changes Brian switches the style to a more melodic representation with romantic touches. The piccolo bass again takes on the function of the melody carrier. On Trials and Tribulations the horn section is enhanced by the string section of The Rising Sun Orchestra. It is obvious that the song will be the most powerful of the whole album. Brian brings the electric bass to life which gives the song a strong rocking flavor. Goose bumps alarm!

The strings of Brian's upright bass swing in a warm tone introducing to It's Called Life. A song Brian has dedicated to his mom who died before Brian has completed this song with a high emotional character. On Uh-Huh Brian unites Randy Brecker and George Duke in a funky team with pronounced jazzy tendencies.

On Your Eyes Brian brings soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows on board, which together with the String Orchestra promises an excursion to shallow shores. Land of the Rising Sun is a popular Western name for Japan. The Asian character of this song is effectually emphasized by June Kuramoto of the group Hiroshima on koto, a 13-string zither or harp like instrument, and Mark Hollingsworth on the bamboo flute.

The final hymn A Familia presents Brian again on upright bass, the instrument that best reflects Brian's playful talent with its enormous range of expression.

Brian Bromberg opens with his new album Thicker Than Water the attentive listener the artistic field of bass in a comprehensive spectrum in which it is rarely heard. With his pronounced tendency to melodious themes, it is easy to follow his guiding principle.

Hams-Berd Hülsmann
smooth-jazz.de



The end for the likes of Chris Botti, Lee Ritenour and Michael Bublé. “Thicker Than Water is a record I’ve been wanting to make for a very long time,” says the dynamic bass virtuoso Brian Bromberg. “I love the upright bass. It’s where my heart and soul is. My connection with that instrument is unlike anything in my life. I also love the electric bass and really wanted to explore its endless possibilities on this project.” That love of the bass is evident across the wide-range of irresistible grooves found on Thicker Than Water, available July 13 on Artistry Music.Across 13 tracks, Bromberg utilizes 11 different basses to create an orchestra of unique tones and rapid-fire runs. Helping Bromberg wield the groove are trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonists Marion Meadows, Najee, Everette Harp, Brandon Fields and Gary Meek, as well as one of the last performances from the late keyboard master George Duke.

jazzmessengers.com



Brian Bromberg specializes in smooth jazz. That's music with rough edges removed. He plays it on basses, upright and electric, and on piccolo basses which are tuned to sound like guitars.

It's all fiendishly clever but Bromberg remains modest. He uses a whole side of the album's cover to thank everyone, including God, "for trusting me with the gifts that you have given me."

He's had his ups and downs. In 1979, when he was just 19, Bromberg toured with Stan Getz, then went on to release a series of solo albums used all over the world to demonstrate high quality stereo equipment, and was nominated for a Grammy.

Then two years ago an accident resulted in him breaking his back in two places with severe trauma. He made an amazing recovery, celebrated here with what he describes as "high energy, funky, in-your-face, original music ensconced in memorable melodies, infectious grooves, and deep pocket." George Duke, Randy Brecker, Brandon Fields, and Gary Meek helped in its creation.

There's actually a reflective, almost melancholy feel to many of the tracks, with Bromberg paying homage to the blue-eyed soul sounds of his youth. Most are based on funky, repetitive bass riffs, kicking off with "Is That The Best You Can Do?" and "Minneapolis 1987." The title track is looser, more jazzy.

"Coupe De Ville" builds slowly before settling on a bass riff, followed by a tenor solo from Najee, which keeps the proceedings very much on the smooth side of soul.

"Trials and Tribulations" sees Bromberg in thoughtful mood but with some very fast piccolo bass work (sounding like guitar). "Uh-Huh" shows off his orchestrating skills with a cast that includes George Duke playing one of his last gigs.

"Your Eyes" is a lovely, relaxed ballad and is followed by "Land Of The Rising Sun," Bromberg's take on Japan. This comes as a welcome surprise after all the bass riffing, featuring Mark Hollingsworth on bamboo flutes and June Kuramoto, from the band Hiroshima, on koto.

To close, Bromberg reverts to upright bass for "A Familia," keeping it short and sweet, which is how upright bass solos should be.

Chris Mosey - July 13, 2018
© 2020 All About Jazz.



Bassist Brian Bromberg’s 30-plus-year solo career crested with a 2002 release, Jaco, on which he deftly paid tribute to bass great Jaco Pastorius’ otherworldly combination of compositional skills and musical athleticism. Bromberg’s new CD, Thicker Than Water, like much of his catalog, primarily displays the latter. Recorded with 11 different basses, the 13-song release—featuring all Bromberg compositions—is akin to a smooth-jazz decathlon.

Bromberg is on the short list of bassists with skills comparable to Pastorius, yet even that late bass icon used horns and strings in his compositions rather than assuming his bass could be a lead melodic instrument. Thicker Than Water’s leadoff track, “Is That the Best You Can Do?,” features breathtaking slapping and tapping passages, yet cloaks them in a midtempo funk vehicle that sounds like a series of ’70s funk cliches. The subsequent “Minneapolis, 1987” employs guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and drummer Franklin Richardson III to create an homage to Prince, but Bromberg’s 16th-note flurries come across as self-indulgent.

The title track features Bromberg adding guitar-mimicking solos on a hollow-body piccolo bass amid nephew Zach Bromberg’s loops and keyboard programming and Najee’s tenor sax, resulting in hot-tub soundtrack music. Bromberg even blends strings and horns on one track, “Trials and Tribulations,” yet its reach exceeds its grasp.

Things improve during the less formulaic final selections. A legitimately funky “Uh-Huh” features one of the final recorded electric piano solos by the inimitable late George Duke. “Your Eyes” features a rare memorable melody courtesy of the bassist’s additional piano playing, along with percussionists Lenny Castro and Alex Acuña; “Land of the Rising Sun” is Bromberg’s ode to Japan, aided by the Rising Sun Orchestra’s strings, Mark Hollingsworth’s bamboo flutes, and Hiroshima’s June Kuramoto on koto.

Bill Meredith - April 25, 2019
JazzTimes — “America’s Jazz Magazine”



Auf 13 Tracks nutzt Brian Bromberg 11 verschiedene Bässe, um ein Orchester mit einzigartigen Tönen und rasanten Läufen zu schaffen. Zu den Wegbegleitern gehören der Trompeter Randy Brecker, die Saxophonisten Marion Meadows, Najee, Everette Harp, Brandon Fields und Gary Meek sowie der verstorbene Keyboardmeister George Duke.

jpc.de
 

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