Downright Upright

Brian Bromberg | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Artistry Music
• ASIN: B000MGVBKK
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,375 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Long before the coining of "smooth jazz," catchy numbers like Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island," Joe Zawinul's "Mercy Mercy Mercy," and the Les McCann-Eddie Harris tune "Cold Duck Soup" enticed pop fans to cross over, however casually or tentatively, into jazz. Now, on veteran bassist Brian Bromberg's Downright Upright, those three songs are vehicles for name-brand smooth jazz players including saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Boney James and Gary Meek, keyboardists George Duke and Jeff Lorber, guitarist Lee Ritenour and trumpeter Rick Braun to do a little crossing back of sorts to show off their mainstream chops. Nobody will confuse the facility of their straightahead solos with real depth, however much emotion they pour into them. But it's an agreeable excursion for all concerned, with Bromberg making the most of his opportunities to lay down melodic lines. Even after the cover versions give way to originals in the same vein, the music stays lively. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

On Downright Upright, acclaimed bassist BRIAN BROMBERG leads an all-star line-up to create a musical tour de force!

Playing both acoustic and piccolo bass, Downright Upright is a complete turnaround from 2006's Wood II. Instead of a traditional trio, this release shines with many new collaborative touches, including those from pianists GEORGE DUKE and JEFF LORBER, saxophonists GARY MEEK, BONEY JAMES, and KIRK WHALUM, drummer VINNIE COLAIUTA, trumpeter RICK BRAUN, and guitarists GANNIN ARNOLD and LEE RITENOUR.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The distinction between real jazz and jazz lite . . ., March 29, 2007

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Downright Upright (Audio CD)

. . . is real.

And, although it is being broken down of late, with discs such as Findings by Benny Reid, Departure by Dan Siegel, With All My Heart by Harvey Mason, and Straight Up and Take It From the Top by Bob James (from the jazz lite side), and Blue Horizon by Vic Juris and Department of Good and Evil (as well as similar discs by Rachael Z) from the jazz side, the divide remains, even though it might be lessening with works such as these.

Several factors tend to separate real jazz and jazz lite. The former generally features genuinely creative improvisation, while the latter seldom does. The former seeks to operate within a tradition stretching back to the beginning of the 20th century even as it expands those frontiers, while the latter seems to be an offshoot of late-20th century (instrumental) pop music. The former appeals to a somewhat elite audience generally steeped in its history and developments, while the latter tends to attract a younger audience looking for romantically inclined, easily accessible instrumental music.

The truth is that a quite different (and, one might even say, mutually alien) aesthetic generally operates in the two genres. How and why the two are coming together in the nascent 21st century, I simple don't know. But they are. And, I think, that's generally a good thing. So what if the diehard jazzheads don't like it: I say, deal with it! So what if the jazz lite freaks inch their way into Real Jazz: Again, deal with it!

Coming mainly from the Real Jazz position (although my introduction to creative improvised music was through the door of jazz lite), I sometimes weary of the plodding, clichéd approach of the Jazz Liters, but I'm more and more coming to appreciate the authentic and even hard-won aesthetic that the very best of them have achieved.

Still . . .

I believe the absolute best music on this disc derives from the authentic jazz side, that is, the standards, "Cantaloupe Island" and "Chameleon" by the inimitable Herbie Hancock, and "Mercy Mercy Mercy" by Joe Zawinal and "Cold Duck Time" by Les McCann: That's probably why the disc starts out with three of these standards. The tunes by Bromberg just don't have the requisite res, at least to my ears. Thus, things seem to sag slightly after the three standards, the disc tending to devolve into fairly standard smooth jazz precincts.

Of the three saxophone players--Kirk Whalum, Boney James, and Gary Meek--I prefer the latter. He plays on half the numbers, and he really lights things up whenever he solos. I particularly like his very sly quote of "Naima"--so stealthy as to slip by all but the most careful listener--on "Chameleon." Fusion stalwarts George Duke and Jeff Lorber man the piano chair (no cheesy keyboards here) with casual grace, and even some pretty killer chops (check out Lorber's solo on "Leisure Suit"). But it's when Bromberg solos on piccolo bass that things really catch fire. He seems to have figured out how to get the absolute most from that somewhat awkward instrument, and, thankfully (at least to these ears), he limits his acoustic bass solos to a minimum (although he manages a quite lovely one on "Slow Burn"). It's not that he lacks chops on this balky instrument; it's just that his solo concept on it seems rather too virtuoso for it to properly be in conversation with the rest of the band. Vinnie Colaiuta in the drum chair is a marvel of drive, taste, and coloration.

All in all, a very enjoyable disc which is growing on me.

****1/2.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Jazz for grown-ups., March 19, 2007

By 

D. B. Nolley (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Downright Upright (Audio CD)

The CD earns only four stars, but I gave them a five because I was blown away by the live performance.

I generally shy away from smooth jazz artists for the same reason I avoid N'Sync and the Cartoon Channel. I'm an adult. But I know what Brian Bromberg is capable of, and he hit the mark again.

Honestly, had I not heard about the line-up he was bringing to the Annapolis concert, I might not have purchased this CD. But we went to the concert, was mesmerized by the band and bought the CD that night. Gary Meeks, Jeff Lorber, Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker and Brian delivered a controlled tour-de-force that was way beyond what you'd expect from a "Smooth Jazz" unit. I guess Brian got tired of hearing some of us denegrate the SJ movement and decided to get back to his roots. He could not have picked finer pieces or band mates to re-establish his "sheet cred". They did justice to every number they played and that's no mean feat when you're talking about Hancock compositions and standards like "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". Although the personnel on the CD varies somewhat from what you'll see at the live concert, the studio sessions are nonetheless true reproductions of the real thing.

If you like straight-ahead mainstream jazz you won't be disappointed with this CD. If your preference is SJ, you'll absolutely love the bridge these guys are building between the two forms. This effort is the perfect blending of smooth grooves, funky rhythms and an honest tribute to the heart, mind and soul of jazz.

P.S. Allow me to put in a shameless plug for two of my favorite venues. The Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis, Maryland and The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia are near perfect venues for this type of concert where the band can be intimately close to the audience, giving the whole affair a very personal feel. If you're anywhere within striking distance to either of these places, I strongly recommend viewing and listening to your favorite acts there.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Downright Good, May 12, 2007

By 

Jerry Hoyt (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Downright Upright (Audio CD)

Very good CD overall. I liked all the tracks. The thing that makes this CD a winner is all the other top name talent that Bromberg has with him on the CD. Fabulous musicians in their own right. I saw the Downright Upright All-Stars in concert playing the songs on this project. It is even better in concert. Definite recommended buy.