One of the most prolific, respected and sometimes overlooked bassists these days is Brian Bromberg, who has been a sideman for artists including Getz and Hubbard as well as releasing some fantastic albums of his own, including his classic Jaco tribute.
For some reason he gets plugged into the “smooth jazz” category, but if you check out these five albums he recorded for the Japanese King Records label from 2003-11, you’ll see that this guy is one of the major voices of the bass clef. Take a deep breath, and here we go…
The first three are collaborations with drummer Akira Jimbo (hence the moniker “The JB Project”). The first JB Project brings in pianist Otmar Ruiz for a trio outing that includes a energetic and snappy “Giant Steps”, a dreamy read of the pop hit “Summer Breeze”, some hip keyboards on a soulful “So What” and a lyrical “And I Love Her” with Bromberg in tasty acoustic form for the most part.
Project II is the same trio, with Bromberg doing some digital dexterity on “Tell Me A Bed Time Story”, and the team digging into the energetic pop hit “Steppin’ Out” while they glide through a heady “Nardis” before Bromberg digs in for a fun and funky version of “I Got Rhythm”. Ruiz’s keys are fragrant on “You and I” while JImbo flexes his muscles on the sizzling “Action Figure” and “The Sound Of Music”.
Project III includes guest appearances by pianists/keyboardists Patrice Rushen and fellow partner Jeff Lorber, as Bromberg smooths out the bass classic “Teen Town” and gets into a “Come Together” groove on “Bromblue”. The keys get splashy with a Tower of Power feel on “Rory Lowery, Private Eye” with Bromberg playing all the high stringed notes like a tightrope walker on “Actual P roof”.
The next two albums are fantastically clever solo affairs, with A Bass Odyssey having Bromberg take on classical pieces with aplomb. There are some rich textures on ”Also Sprach Zarathustra” while the fingers bop to “In The Hall of the Mountain King”. A hip groove digs into “Ode To Joy” and there’s a kinda blue feel to “Rhapsody In Blue” with an elegiac string solo leading up to some electric funky climaxes on a Bo Derek-less “Bolero”.
The last album has Bromberg in an all acoustic formant for a bunch of clever covers and originals, ranging from a Barney Rubble’d swing of “The Flintstones” to a get down “Use Me”. Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” snaps like pea, while a solo version of Weather Report’s “Teen Town” is a wild white knuckler. The Beatles’ medley includes a relentless riff of “Day Tripper” while there are lofty moments on ”In A Sentimental Mood”. A master at his craft!