Jeff Berlin - In Harmony's Way (2001)

Tracklist

1 This Is Your Brain On Jazz
2 Runaway Train
3 Emeril Kicks It Up
4 Everybody Knows You When You're Up And In
5 Heart Of A Child
6 Liebman On A Jet Plane
7 Pale Glider
8 Reggae Ricardo
9 A Place Of Know

personnel :

Jeff Berlin - bass
Richard Drexler - piano, acoustic bass
Danny Gottlieb - drums
Gary Burton - vibes
Dave Liebman - soprano/tenor saxophones
Mike Stern - guitar
Captain Billy Lang - acoustic guitar, electric rhythm guitar
Clare Fischer - keyboard
Steve Shepherd - vocals
Howie Shear - trumpet
Dave Stout - trombone
Doug Webb - tenor saxophone

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