We’ve come a long way from Jimmy Blanton making the bass a solo instrument back in 1940. Now we have solo bass albums, 80 years later
Bassist Mark Dresser goes solo for a dozen etudes on this recent release. The upright gets a workout, as it’s slapped on “Tynalogue”, strummed on ”Harmonity”, bowed on the scrambling “Prolotine” and sawed into wild harmonies on “Epitine”. There are some almost flutelike tones created by Dresser on ”Gregoratyne” a with some subtone mournings for “Narratone”. Bass anatomy.
Acoustic bassist Bruno Raberg creates 11 etudes of originals and interpretations of jazz standards on this intimate release. A take of “Nardis” in introspective and reflective, with “Prelude To A Kiss” nimble and dainty. He hits high pitches on his own “Gyrating Spheres”, broodingly bows on “A Space In Between” and creates some rich harmonies for “Stillness”. There is a classical feel to his bow on Chennai Reminiscence” and a graceful use of his selection on “Ode To Spring”. Gentle depths.