Label: ECM Records, 2021
Personnel - Marc Johnson: double bass.
Marc Johnson is a virtuoso of the bass whose immersive touch and tone are remarkable. The beauty and intensity of his playing made him a first-call sideman in projects of Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Peter Erskine, Gary Burton, John Abercrombie, Paul Motian, Joe Lovano and John Scofield, just to name a few. His peak as a leader was reached in the mid-1980s with the super quartet Bass Desires, but now he reaches new heights with his first solo album, Overpass, recorded in São Paulo in 2018.
Of the eight compositions that define the program, five are originals by the bassist and three are interpretations of classic jazz tunes. Johnson opens the record with two covers: Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance” is rendered with the sheer propulsion of its buoyant pedal-groove and the flawless articulation of the theme plus improvised segments. It is immediately followed by Miles Davis’ “Nardis”, a special tune for Johnson who played it with Bill Evans in the early 80s. Here, he explores the poetic possibilities of his instrument, finding an edgy refinement to the song that is completely engrossing.
There’s also a sublime take on “Love Theme From Spartacus”, whose slow, rubato tempo increases its weightlessness and deeply felt lyricism. But before that, the Eastern-tinged “Samurai Fly” creates impact with the timbre-filled appeal of arco bass overdubbing on top of a sturdy pizzicato. This is a rework of “Samurai Hee-Haw”, one of his most known compositions and opener of his tour-de-force 1986 ECM album Bass Desires.
“Life of Pai” is simultaneously reflective and majestic in the moves, whereas “Yin and Yang” combines languid, lush pizzicato and arco techniques that erupt from another Eastern modal center. Both the attacks and decaying sounds are set with a purpose.
Also fantastic is “And Strike Each Tuneful String”, a technically flawless primal dance inspired by a field recording from the 60s with music from Burundi. The bassist lets himself go and follow his natural instincts in this improvised piece with a short reprise of “Prayer Beads”, which originally lives on the second album of the Bass Desires quartet, Second Sight.
Johnson combines warmth, scope, melody and rhythm, sustaining plenty of interest in the course of eight pieces where his creative vision and maturity are on display.
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Favorite Tracks:
02 - Nardis ► 03 - Samurai Fly ► 04 - Love Theme From Spartacus