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| Fusioneer Randy Bernsen, has recorded with Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Marcus Miller  A longtime resident of Fort Lauderdale, where his Jericho Jams Productions company is based, Bernsen released his 11th album on June 16 the all-original and self-produced Heart Mind and Soul.His bandmates this time around include saxophonists Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets, Jaco Pastorius) and Bob Franceschini (Mike Stern, Victor Wooten), bassist Jimmy Haslip (Allan Holdsworth, Oz Noy), trumpeter Dan Davis, keyboardist George Whitty, and siblings Uzi Nizri (keyboards) and David Nizri (drums). Bernsen's 1987 and 1988 follow-ups on MCA's Zebra imprint, Mo' Wasabi and Paradise Citizens, were likewise star-studded, with saxophonists Wayne Shorter and Michael Brecker, bassist Marcus Miller, drummer Steve Gadd, and harmonica player Toots Thielemans. While earning his commercial pilot's license, Bernsen toured Japan, Malaysia and Europe and worked with Weather Report keyboardist and guru Joe Zawinul's side project The Zawinul Syndicate, appearing on its 1992 recording Lost Tribes. The fusion guitar icon has since recorded independently, releasing albums like Calling Me Back Home, AppTeaser and Grace Notes that included Haslip, Thielemans, keyboardists John Medeski and Joe Sample, and bassist Abraham Laboriel. A musical stargazer and high-flying professional pilot for the past quarter-century, Bernsen's Heart Mind and Soul is a down-to-earth reminder of what continues calling him back home. And in what's increasingly become an era of tribute acts, Bernsen continues to prove a highly original voice as both composer and guitarist with this six-track release, which he says could be the first of a few this year. If so, what an appetizer it is. The opening tracks "Prodigal Son" and "With You Always" display Bernsen's melodic prowess as both guitarist and arranger, wind-aided by Franceschini and Davis. "A Shepherd's Heart" soars via the playing of Mintzer and tonal contributions of Whitty, and "Abba Father" showcases Bernsen's keyboard trio lineup with the Nizri brothers. The closing "Chant 881" adds Haslip to the mix, resulting in a Weather Report-like nod to Zawinul and Shorter, that fusion juggernaut's co-founders, and "Billy Gate Blues" unearths a side of Bernsen - the searing, rootsy influence of Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton - that's different from his clean-toned explorations on Fender Telecasters, or his guitar synthesizer mimicry of horns, keyboards or steel drums. "Jericho Jams, the band and I are looking forward to several exciting releases in 2023, " Bernsen says. "Heart Mind and Soul is the opening project. Melodic travels and a burning blues should keep your ears plenty busy. Stay tuned for some much-requested re-releases, a few singles, and an interesting holiday project at the end of the year." That late 2023 release could result in another connection to Davis. A Christmas-themed follow-up to Bernsen's 2004 recording Angels We Have Heard on High, the recording may include hints of Davis' 1970 fusion classic Bitches Brew. "Of all the great recordings Miles did, " Bernsen says, "'Bitches Brew' and 'Kind of Blue' is probably the best-known and most remembered.". 1. With you Always 4:58 Randy Bernsen - guitar, composition, orchestration Uzi Nizri – piano David Nizri – drums Jimmy Haslip – bass Dan Davis - trumpet 2. Prodigal Son 4:37 Randy Bernsen - guitar, composition, orchestration Uzi Nizri – piano David Nizri – drums Jimmy Haslip – bass Bob Franceschini – saxophones Derek Sims - trumpet 3. Shepherd's Heart 5:27 Randy Bernsen - guitar, composition, orchestration Uzi Nizri – piano David Nizri – drums Bob Mintzer – saxophone George Whitty - mix, sounds 4. Billy Gate Blues 6:43 Randy Bernsen - guitar, composition, orchestration Uzi Nizri – piano David Nizri – drums Jimmy Haslip – bass Dan Davis - trumpet 5. Abba Father 3:11 Randy Bernsen - guitar, composition, orchestration Uzi Nizri – piano David Nizri - drums 6. Chant 881 7:50 Randy Bernsen - guitar, composition, orchestration Uzi Nizri – piano David Nizri – drums Jimmy Haslip - bass write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |