Bass

by Glenn AstaritaThis 1988 release features a varied cast of musicians, as Swedish bass wunderkind Jonas Hellborg utilizes famed rock/jazz drummer Ginger Baker, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, vocalist Bernard Fowler, and others for a multi-threaded set. Hellborg and Fowler launch the festivities with a casually executed soul-blues-based duet. The septet explores African rhythms, and a party atmosphere ensues due to some angst-ridden jazz-rock earmarked by Robert Blennerhed's fuzz-toned guitar lines and more. The finest track on this recording might indeed be Hellborg's gorgeous solo bass performance on guitarist John McLaughlin's tuneful composition titled "Blues for L.W." Unfortunately, the dull sonic characteristics of the recording itself detract from the overall dynamics of the band's execution. A little sonic luster could have enhanced this effort. To that end, there are some sparks of ingenuity here, but not a strong sampling of the bassist's finest recorded moments.