Are bass players known for their sense of humor – especially jazz bass players? I don't really know. But Jeff Berlin is one clever guy. As one-third of the stellar BX3 lineup with fellow electric bassists Billy Sheehan and Stu Hamm, which blew the doors off clubs around the country earlier this year, Berlin showed off his musical chops in a power trio setting with guitarist Jude Gold and drummer John Mader, and he was easily the funniest guy on stage – cracking self-deprecating jokes and delivering lines as if he were a stand-up comic.
On his latest CD, Aneurythms (see what I mean about the wise-guy demeanor), Berlin shows off his compositional wit – both via song titles and his highly diverse music. Accompanied by five other players, including Vinne Colaiuta on drums and Richard Drexler on piano, he eschews some of the jazzier tendencies he opted for on the BX3 tour in favor of both lighter and heavier pieces that accentuate the swiftness of his full band – not just his own flexible, melodic style. From funky fusion ("Porky & Beans") to smooth Sunday-morning jazz ("Miss Management") to fluid traditional bass lines ("A Mark You Remade"), Berlin covers all the basses — ahem, bases. And with titles like "Saab Story," "Don't Be Happy! Worry!" and "Auntie Social," you almost wish these songs had lyrics — but then they probably wouldn't sound as good.
Note: You also may find this album released under the title Ace of Bass; I like Aneurythms a lot better …
Track Listing:
1) Porky & Beans
2) Copland
3) Saab Story
4) Ars Longa Vita Brevis
5) Miss Management
6) Justibofidus
7) A Mark You Remade
8) Lapp Dance
9) Don't Be Happy! Worry!
10) Auntie Social
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