Bassist Brian Bromberg (say THAT 5 times real quickly!!!) is one of those “steady Eddie” musicians that has made respectable career as a reliable side for the likes of Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, George Benson and just about any artist that has set foot in an LA studio. His own releases have always been exemplary, and this one may be his best. He’s just about the only cat around who is able to make what was at one time called “adult contemporary music”; stuff that was sophisticated enough to satisfy the head, but swinging and accessible enough to keep your head bobbing and feet tapping. This style is about as common as pork chops at bar mitzvahs nowadays, with the music scene dividing into smooth pablum or angst avant thrashing.
This kind of music takes me back to the days when I first got excited about jazz. Bromberg, who performs on a plethora of basses here (some resembling a Gibson full body Florentine)brings together an energetic collection of compatriots. Randy Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta, George Duke, Bela Fleck, Larry Goldings, Jeff Lorber and a snapping Philly sounding horn section that includes Vince Trombetta mix and match on material that ranges from the catchy yet and driving title track to the frenetically kinetic “Rory Lowery, Private Eye,” both of which include some amazing solo and driving rhythm work by the leader. Meanwhile, a lush “Hayride” has some nice picking by Fleck, and “If Ray Brown Was A Cowboy?” is a thrilling little small group get together. A horn section that sounds like it just fell off the Tower of Power is as tight as J Lo’s dresses on “A Little New Old School” paving the way for some cruising music on a friendly remake of Chicago’s “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It IS?” and Rick James’ “Give It To Me Baby.” It doesn’t matter what school of music you prefer, you are going to get caught up in this joyous collection of sounds that is hip, hep and hopping!
Mack Avenue Jazz