Jeff Berlin is best known as a fusion-oriented electric bassist with phenomenal chops. This CD therefore should be a surprise to both his fans and the jazz world in general, for much of the music is actually straight-ahead.
Berlin plays brilliantly throughout the set, featuring guest vibraphonist
Gary Burton on "This Is Your Brain on Jazz," welcoming guitarist
Mike Stern and
Dave Liebman (on soprano and tenor) to three numbers apiece (both are on "Runaway Train"), featuring both keyboardist
Clare Fischer and the voice of Steve Shephard on "Pale Gilder," and utilizing pianist
Richard Drexler and drummer
Danny Gottlieb as his core unit. Eight of the nine selections are by
Berlin and these range from heated jams to tasteful ballads. Overall this is the most rewarding jazz recording of
Berlin's career. ~ Scott Yanow