It Is What It Is. The Urban Dictionary has 20 different meanings for the cliche. In essence they all seem to point to the same idea to accept things as they are and move on. There are more "creative" definitions to be found on this "this incredibly versatile phrase"; but the business at hand is the latest CD release from Brian Bromberg titled "It Is What It Is". I looked over the list of tracks which includes "Love Shack", and I tried to imagine how it could be played other than the original form by its creators, the B-52's. Another review of his earlier work, Wood and Wood 2, reveals that there are songs in those recordings with jazz renditions which "other artists in his field would not touch." (Kansas' "Carry on Wayward Son", Paul McCartney's "Let 'Em In")
Hmmm. Brave soul. I like that, but maybe I wouldn't be so fond of a jazz rendition of "Love Shack". I put on the CD, and the first track is a fast and funky composition by Brian called "It Is What It Is". It's a solid song. The whole CD is solid. He invited a group of A-list musicians to play and record the 13 songs (9 of which are his own compositions; 2 collaborated Dave Kochanski; and the other 2 are covers by the B-52's and Quincy Jones.) The players are: George Duke, Patrice Rushen, Jeff Lorber, Dave Weckl, Dan Siegel, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Richard Eliot, Gearald Albright, and Rick Braun.
The music created by Bromberg in this recording puts the the fun in funky, and what I mean is the music exudes the playfulness and fun with which the artists perform. What more can an audience ask for? Smooth jazz flavors the recording with "Martinis at the Velvet Lounge", "Saul Goode", "The Anticipation", and "Heaven". There is some easy funk and slow groove with "Mr. Miller" and "Excuse Me?". I like the introspective mood of "The Mirror". Bromberg's own, "Elephant on Ice Skates" layers the different flavors of bass instruments that Bromberg plays - the 4 string bass, 5 string bass, tenor bass, hollow body piccolo bass, and solid body piccolo bass. Notable in the music is that "there are not any guitar melodies or guitar solos in this recording" The effect of having the bass sound like guitar is the piccolo bass. This instrument is special that the strings are tuned to the register of the guitar. "Mr. Miller" is another showcase of this effect. There are not any guitars in this song, but the definitive wah effect resonates through with some tasteful sax, trumpet and trombone interwoven in the melody.
I admire Bromberg's bravado for "Love Shack". "It Is What It Is" after all. And for the rest of it, I like what he's giving us from his heart which humors and plays for the fun of it. He continues to deliver and contribute to the evolution of music with "It Is What It Is" and Bromberg, once again, displays fully his well honed techniques of tapping, and being able to play two and three note chords. He is a master on bass as Lenny Breau is to guitar by having the musical ability to sound like more than one player at once. The CD leaf dedicated with special thanks from Bromberg says this, "I wish to thank all of the musicians for adding their voice and talents to my project. It is what it is because of your contribution."
The A-List credits: George Duke, piano; Patrice Rushen, piano; Jeff Lorber, keyboards; Dave Weckl, drums; Dan Siegel, keyboards; Eric Marienthal, Alto and Baritone sax; Richard Eliot, sax; Gerald Albright, sax; Rick Braun, trumpet.
All credit for arrangements and production goes to Bromberg. He is scheduled to perform at the Catalina Bar and Grill next month (September 18th, 19th and 20th.)
----ANALYN REVILLA