“Bromberg Plays Hendrix” and “In The Spirit Of Jobim” continues the diverse bassist’s extraordinary summer
Sherman Oaks, CA (18 July 2012): It’s no ordinary summer for bassist Brian Bromberg, who yesterday released his second and third albums this summer via Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Records. “Bromberg Plays Hendrix” and “In The Spirit Of Jobim” pay tribute to music icons Jimi Hendrix and Antonio Carlos Jobim respectively and arrive six weeks after the release of the bass player’s critically acclaimed chart-topper “Compared To That” as well as the launch of his pioneering online radio station for bassists, Bass on the Broadband (www.bassonthebroadband.com).
The immense diversity offered in the trio of new recordings impresses
through content and technique while achieving successes in all shades
of jazz.
The
audacious “Bromberg Plays Hendrix” surprises in that the collection
saluting the rock/blues guitarist was made without a single guitar.
Accompanied only by monster drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, Bromberg
plays all the lead guitar solos and melodies on piccolo, fretless,
electric and acoustic basses in what becomes an astonishing showcase
for the musician’s masterful and imaginative skills. Bromberg produced
the record comprised of ten of Hendrix’s signature hits including
“Fire,” “Manic Depression,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” “All Along The
Watchtower,” “Foxey Lady,” “Hey Joe” and “Purple Haze.” The concept
for the album was suggested by two different record executives from two
different cultures two years apart. It turned out to be far more
challenging than Bromberg anticipated.
“Hendrix
didn’t just sing melodies; he spoke to you. He was a true genius and a
true American icon. It was monumentally challenging and it took a
while to figure out how to capture his delivery and distill the
melodies from his vocals,” explains Bromberg.
Venturing
on an entirely different path, “In The Spirit Of Jobim” offers fresh
versions of five of the seminal Brazilian music figure’s songs
alongside seven Bromberg-penned originals that emulate Jobim’s breezy
melodies and infectious rhythmic style. Bromberg handled production
duties while surrounding himself with Brazilian musicians and The
Rising Sun Orchestra in order to maintain authenticity.
“I love Brazilian music and it’s a blast to play live. The music is so positive and energetic. The
songs are simple and melodic. It’s just beautiful,” says Bromberg.
Initially
released in Asian territories, Bromberg recut, remixed and remastered
“Bromberg Plays Hendrix” and “In The Spirit Of Jobim” using his
signature line of Carvin basses.
Released June 5th, “Compared To That” topped JazzWeek’s
traditional jazz album chart and spawned the top 5 contemporary jazz
single, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” The collection of
improvisational contemporary and straight-ahead jazz recorded live
followed by several months of production work features Bromberg
dispensing walking bass lines that swing backed by an accomplished
supporting cast starring Colaiuta, Alex Acuña, Gannin Arnold, Charlie Bisharat, Randy Brecker, George Duke, Bela Fleck, Mitch Forman, Larry Goldings, Jeff Lorber, Gary Meek and Tom Zink.
Bass
on the Broadband is the first outlet in the world exclusively devoted
to playing music and video clips from bassists in all music genres. It
officially debuted in June.
Next
month, Bromberg is expected to embark upon an East Coast promotional
tour with cities and dates soon to be announced.
photo: Raj Naik
Below is a sampling of the “Bromberg Plays Hendrix” and “In The Spirit Of Jobim” reviews:
“Having
often said, ‘Genius reviews itself’ - Bromberg plays Hendrix where one
musical genius does a riff off another musical genius. The stunning
artistic feel and virtuosity is on display throughout this release with
no drop offs in intensity anywhere…From the lyrical connectivity of
‘The Wind Cries Mary’ to the full on ‘Purple Haze’ Bromberg plays
Hendrix is guaranteed to touch your heart and set your hair on fire all
at the same time!” – Critical Jazz
“This
is rock jazz fusion at its very best. What has been done here is
amazing…This is a powerful tribute that brings Hendrix back to life in
the musical form and in a completely innovative manner. Every cut on
the CD is a masterpiece...I was spellbound the entire time during the
solos from the first track ‘Fire’ to the very last, ‘Purple
Haze.’…Whether you lean towards jazz or rock (or any other genre),
Brian Bromberg raises the bar on what a bass player is and what can
been done with the instrument, as he sets a new standard just like Jimi
Hendrix did. Tremendous!” – The Entertainment Bank
“Now we’re talkin’ insane talent. Picture this: Covering a bunch of Jimi Hendrix classics with only a bass and drums, no guitar.
All of the wild and passionate riffs, chords, and fire, all of the
innovative phrasing, all of the energy…produced on bass. That insanely
talented bassist? Brian Bromberg…From
the frenetic lead track ‘Fire’ to ‘Foxy Lady’ to ‘Purple Haze’ and
everywhere in between, Bromberg fearlessly takes on the undisputed
rock/blues guitar icon of icons and delivers in a manner that surely
would have made the colorful guitarist proud and will leave listeners
wide-eyed and awestruck.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride
“When
one thinks of the music of Jimi Hendrix, bass is not exactly what comes
to mind, but you know, sometimes genius is found in the oddest of
pairings. Brian Bromberg has achieved such genius on his new album,
‘Bromberg Plays Hendrix’. What’s most notable here is the fact that
there is no guitar on this album, just Bromberg playing electric,
acoustic, and piccolo basses, accompanied by powerhouse drummer Vinnie
Colaiuta. Bromberg’s piccolo bass lines on this album are so
phenomenal that you’d swear it was a lead guitar. Not to be
overshadowed, his fat, grooving ‘traditional’ bass lines rock steady
throughout, breathing new life into each piece.” - Bass Players United
“Except
for a few little vocal refrains on ‘Fire’ and ‘Crosstown Traffic,’ it’s
all instrumentals here, and it actually works better than the originals
in a myriad of ways. ‘Hey Joe’ sounds bluesy and foreboding, while
‘Spanish Castle Magic’ ferociously swings with attitude. Lots of
wistfulness on ‘The Wind Cries Mary,’ and throughout the session, the
sounds you hear will make you scratch your head in bewilderment. This
is a bass? I want one!!!!” – Jazz Weekly
“Bromberg does a masterful job on five Jobim classics…In The Spirit of Jobim is
about passion and a shared musical joy and for this reason alone this
release gets 5 huge stars. Virtually flawless from start to finish and
from my perspective possibly the finest Brian Bromberg release ever.” –
Critical Jazz
“Virtuoso
bassist Brian Bromberg delivers a beautiful recording of the great
music of Brazil…Brian Bromberg honors this music with a stellar
recording that gets my highest recommendation. He is truly a master
bassist and musical tour de force.” – The Entertainment Bank
“Not
only are we talking prolific, the feel and attention he gave this
particular material shows the depth of his creativity and desire to do
Jobim justice…On this CD, he delivers flawlessly on Jobim’s original
pearls and caresses them as if they were his own.” – The Smooth Jazz
Ride
For more information about Bromberg, please visit www.brianbromberg.net.
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