Sci-Fi

Christian McBride | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 12, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00004WIOD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,908 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The whiz-kid acoustic and electric bassist Christian McBride grew up in Philadelphia in the '70s and '80s, and in addition to absorbing the mainstream jazz tradition, he also listened to fusion. That's the music behind this pleasing CD, which is his most complete recording since Number Two Express. With a youthful combo of like-minded compatriots, including tenor and soprano saxophonist Ron Blake, McBride, who also doubles on keyboards, dives into the now nostalgic sounds of the jazz-rock era with power and precision. His take on Steely Dan's "Aja" burns with Blake's Wayne Shorter-derived solo. Sting's Police classic, "Walking on the Moon," is rendered as a moody ballad with bass clarinetist James Carter's sepia tones. Jaco Pastorius's Weather Report anthem "Havona" retains its frenetic fury and Stanley Clarke's "Butterfly Dreams" features McBride's arco bass lead reprising Andy Bey's original vocals. McBride penned the ballad "Uhura's Moment Returned" in honor of the black Star Trek character, while "Science Fiction" recalls Return to Forever. Herbie Hancock's powerful pianism completes the Miles Davis-imaged sound picture on the neo-bop burner "Xerxes," and "Via Mwandishi," named after Hancock's seminal recording of the early '70s, is the CD's best track, with McBride laying down grooving ostinatos and Carter casting bone-deep bass clarinet tones. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best new jazz CD of the year (so far), September 18, 2000

By 

Steve Marshall "Steve" (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sci-Fi (Audio CD)

With Sci-Fi, the bassist has scored his best album since his 1996 debut, Number Two Express. The eleven tracks here run the gamut from heartfelt ballads to serious fusion workouts, and all points in between. McBride, who is at home on both acoustic and electric bass, also doubles on keyboards. His core band--Ron Blake (saxes), Shedrick Mitchell (keyboards) and Rodney Green (drums)--and the assorted guest musicians on the CD dive headfirst into the mainly jazz-rock sounds with power and precision.

From the time you hit the play button, highlights abound on the Philadelphia native's latest album. His take on Steely Dan's "Aja" is nothing short of electrifying. Blake and Mitchell turn in inspired solos on the song, and David Gilmore's guitar solo absolutely smokes. "Uhura's Moment Returned" is a combination of the Star Trek Theme & the Oliver Nelson standard, "Stolen Moments." Mitchell shines once again on this tune, soloing effortlessly over McBride's walking bass line. After an acoustic bass solo, McBride is rejoined by the rest of the band on the song's theme.

"Xerxes" is a freeform/fusion workout, featuring Herbie Hancock on piano, and a brilliant acoustic solo by McBride. One of the best tracks on the CD is "Science Fiction." Inspired by the film, The Matrix, the song sounds a lot like Return to Forever, with exceptional musicianship from everyone involved. Bass clarinetist James Carter turns in a particularly sensitive performance on The Police's "Walking on the Moon." McBride carries the melody, with Carter filling in all the spaces, as they turn Sting's reggae classic into a moody, introspective ballad.

McBride pays homage to a number of his bass idols on Sci-Fi. One of the best is his cover of Jaco Pastorius' classic from the Weather Report days, "Havona." Retaining all of its frenetic fury, and then some, this is another of the many highlights on the CD, with a killer solo by McBride and outstanding drumming from Green. The pace slows down a bit on "I Guess I'll Have to Forget." The song features a beautiful Toots Thielemans solo, and shows yet another aspect of the musical talents of this group. "Via Mwandishi" is McBride's personal tribute to Herbie Hancock's seminal fusion group of the 70's. It starts off slow, then gets into some serious funk. The song's bassline is one of the most memorable on the disc.

Simply put, Sci-Fi is one of the best jazz albums of the year. It's sure to garner some new fans for McBride, and keep the existing ones happy as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian just doesn't seem to let up, October 10, 2000

By 

Christopher LeFevre (Phila, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sci-Fi (Audio CD)

Sci-Fi is just further evidence that Christian McBride contiues to evolve as not only a musician but as a composer/songwriter as well. I have been following Christian for a few years now and this record could be his best since his original (not that the other two are that far behind). His take on Steely Dan's "Aja" is absolutely perfect because he doesn't take anything away from the original version of the song but at the sametime adds a whole new dimension to it. Other hightlights from the album include "Xerxes" w/Herbie Hancock and Sting's "Walking on the Moon" and one listen to him tackle Jaco's bass line on "Havona" (on the UPRIGHT TOO!!!) will send almost any bass player to the woodshed. His band is great too (especially Rodney green on drums). All in all this is an album that should be picked up by those who enjoy good music.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars skillfully executed, but nothing memorable, April 16, 2001

By 

isaac "lawyer-surfer-christian" (middle of the pacific) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sci-Fi (Audio CD)

Previous albums have already placed McBride at the forefront of modern (particularly acoustic) jazz bass. This album confirms that status. I can't see anyone having any major complaints about this album; it exudes professionalism and taste. The musicians gets ample opportunity to show off their chops on burners like "Aja" (check out the wicked guitar solo by Gilmour) and "Havona" (check out McBride's acoustic work, which many players would be hard pressed to emulate even on electric), but musicality is the guiding theme throughout. That being said, I give it only three stars because, even after about ten listens, it mostly remains an undifferentiated blur. In a nutshell, I'd file this among the many slick and satisfying, but ultimately uninspiring, modern jazz recordings of recent years.

As for style, this album follows the modern jazz mold of "Number Two Express," as opposed to the more straight-ahead sound of "Gettin' to It" and the groove-oriented theme of "Family Affair."