Brian Bromberg: Compared to That

Ever sit back dreamily listening to an album, letting the music wash over you when all of a sudden, you hear a number that snaps you to attention? Such is the experience when listening to Brian Bromberg's Compared to That.

The noteworthy number here: "Hayride," an original by Bromberg. Earlier tracks are hard-edged smooth jazz arrangements. The title track shows off Jeff Lorber's piano, along with Bromberg's unique work on acoustic bass and hollow body piccolo bass. (Album note, there are no guitar melodies or solos on this recording— only Bromberg on piccolo.) This is followed by "Rory Lowery, Private Eye," which is filled with hot licks punctuated by Mitchel Forman's piano and Gary Meek's tenor. In contrast, the aforementioned, attention grabbing "Hayride," with its country feel and jazz overlay of piccolo bass, banjo and violin results in a boisterous dos- à -dos called by Bromberg.

In the ten-track set, eight are penned by Bromberg, who leads an eclectic ensemble featuring a ten-piece horn section and at times, the Japenese Rising Sun Orchestra. Standout number "If Ray Brown Was A Cowboy, " pares the musicians down to three, Tom Zink on piano, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, and Bromberg on acoustic bass. It's a tasty piece, with a low-down funky flavor.

The two covers, Chicago's "Does Anybody Ever Really Know What Time It Is" and Derrick James's "Give It To Me Baby" are reworked with large ensembles in swinging, finger-popping fashion, conclusively proving that Bromberg is a jazzman for all seasons.

Compared to That is wide ranging but the direction is straight-ahead and down-the-middle...occasionally edging to the passing lane.