Brian Bromberg - Compared to That (2012)

01 – Compared To That
02 – Rory Lowery, Private Eye
03 – If Ray Brown Was A Cowboy
04 – Hayride
05 – A Little New Old School
06 – Forgiveness
07 – Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
08 – I’m Just Sayin’
09 – The Eclipse
10 – Give It To Me Baby

Personnel:
Brian Bromberg - acoustic bass, hollow body piccolo bass, steel string acoustic piccolo bass,
 Carvin B24 4 string bass
Jeff Lorber - piano, electric piano
Gary Meek - tenor sax
Alex Acuna - percussion
Randy Brecker - trumpet, flugelhorn
Vinnie Colaiuta - drums
George Duke - piano
Mitch Forman - piano
Larry Goldings - Hammond B3 organ
Tom Zink - piano
Bela Fleck - banjo
Gannin Arnold - rhythm guitar
Charlie Bishart - violin

Horn Section:

Willie Murillo - trumpet
Tony Guerrero - trumpet
Mark Visher - alto sax, baritone sax
Vince Trombetta - trombone
Jason Thor - trombone
The Rising Sun Orchestra (Tokyo, Japan)

Due out June 5 on Mack Avenue Records, ‘Compared To That’ will be bass player Brian Bromberg’s 20th solo collection. Including eight of his own compositions, a ten-piece horn section, a full orchestral string section and a prodigious collective of supporting musicians this is an album that will appeal both to fans of contemporary jazz and those who allude to having a more straight ahead disposition. With the likes of Randy Brecker, George Duke, Mitch Forman, Jeff Lorber, Gary Meek and Tom Zink all involved, ‘Compared To That’ was recorded over two frenetic days and provides the overriding impression that here is a group of musicians at the top of their game and having fun.

A case in point is the dazzlingly swinging title cut which showcases a variety of jazz styles in the way only a few can. Fortunately Bromberg is one of them and from the intensely jazzy ‘Rory Lowery, Private Eye’ to a swinging take on the Chicago hit, ‘Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?’ everything is done to the highest standard imaginable.

With little more than piano and Bromberg’s distinctive bass ‘If Ray Brown Were A Cowboy?’ is a fine example of how less can sometimes be more and although the lilting melody of ‘Forgiveness’ provides a tranquil moment that is truly to savor, Bromberg is quickly ‘back in the swing’ with the brass drenched ‘I’m Just Sayin’.

If the title ‘Hayride’ suggests that country music might be on the agenda then that assumption would be correct. Despite jazz and country being somewhat strange bedfellows Bromberg makes it work to perfection and the funky kind of big band thing he generates with ‘A Little New Old School’ is enhanced in no small measure by tenor sax from Gary Meek. Elsewhere the complex ‘The Eclipse’ will satisfy jazz purists everywhere but the eclectic nature of ‘Compared To That’ is again demonstrated with the closing number, a daring re-imagining of the Rick James 1981 hit ‘Give It To Me Baby’. Go check out the original on YouTube to see just how different this Bromberg version is.

‘Compared To That’ is certainly Bromberg’s most jazzy project since ‘Downright Upright’ but nevertheless is a fine example of how his visionary approach can create moods that transcend musical styles. --- smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com

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