Monday, September 20, 2010

Brian Bromberg: Plays Jimi Hendrix (2010)

As one of the most prolific and commercially successful solo bassists for over the past two decades, Brian Bromberg has released a diverse collection of recordings spanning straight-ahead and contemporary jazz, rock, fusion, and funk genres. Following tributes to bass icon Jaco Pastorius and Antonio Carlos Jobim, Brian Bromberg returns with his latest dedication, Plays Jimi Hendrix. Backed by the legendary Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and utilizing conventional bass playing techniques on standard 34-inch scale basses tuned to the register of an electric guitar, the Grammy-nominated bass virtuoso has issued an astounding compilation of Hendrix's greatest hits. Bromberg's performance as a guitar player is so convincing that if you weren't aware the guitar parts were actually recorded by a bassist on piccolo basses, you would never be able to distinguish the difference. Because Bromberg is employing basses tuned like a guitar and articulating all of the phrases with his fingers rather than a pick, he is able to deliver a much warmer and deeper sound than what his guitar-playing counterparts can produce. While the bass is featured prominently in each of these selections, you don't have to be a bass enthusiast to enjoy the spirit and depth of these arrangements because the musicality of these compositions extends beyond an audience of only bass aficionados. This production is much more than just a tribute to the music of Jimi Hendrix. It captures the same level of raw energy and emotion that has characterized all of Bromberg's recordings ever since his debut as a solo artist. On Plays Jimi Hendrix, Bromberg continues to redefine the role of the bass and broaden its dimensions. Currently available only in Japan, this project contains 11 brilliant arrangements of classic tracks including "Fire," "Spanish Castle Magic," "Purple Haze," "Manic Depression," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Voodoo Child," "Freedom," "All Along The Watchtower," "Foxey Lady," "Hey Joe," and "Crosstown Traffic."