ALEJANDRO HERRERA

Tracks recorded in Argentina(tracks 1-5 and 8): The album starts off with a very funky style, dominated by Alejandro's bass. You also got a very good deal with the sax and trumpet. It's a pretty good opener, not taking the listener's atention off. Then comes the title track, a softer song, but nonethless keeping the listener's attention with impecable bass playing as well as some groovy hammond ala Jimmy Smith. Follows up Mati Smiles, a very gentle jazz song, written by Alejandro dedicated to his son, Matías. The song is in the vein of A Remark You Made by Weather Report, lead by a soft bass and sax. Enemy Inside Me is a breath-taking song, with the killer bass opening, and some very good snyths. Bluenoter is in the vein as the first song of the album. With some epic saxophone and flugerhorn. There's some very nice piano playing in the background with a good rythm set by Oscar Giunta(drums) and José Bale(percussion). Fourth Trip is a medium-fast tempo jazz song, opened with some slap bass guitar, and then again with the sax and trumpet leading the melody. There's also some congas in the rythm section giving it a quite unique tempo or style to the song.

Tracks recorded in France(tracks 6 & 7): Loneliness leaves out the funk roots, and is oriented more to traditional jazz. With slow melodic bass and sax, and with some piano giving the song a even more traditional style. The traditional jazz is gone, and Lady of the Bridge opens with another fantastic bass line. A excellent work from each member, the composition is really good giving some time for each member to shine.

Indeed a fine debut for a very talented bass player. I would recomend this album to those fans of Bill Bruford's Earthworks or Weather Report(Jaco's period). Also highly recomended for those who love albums where the bass is the lead instrument in most ocassions, and gotta to say the playing of is outstanding.

4 stars, excellent addition to your Jazz/Fusion collection.