S. M. V. (STANLEY CLARKE, MARCUS MILLER & VICTOR WOOTEN): THUNDER

When I heard that these three aces of the basses were getting together fof an album I couldn't wait. I was salivating at the thought of some of the greatest bassist ever pushing each other to new heights. When I finally purchased the album, I was a bit disappointed. The performances are great, mind you, but there is little on this that I would call outstanding.

I think what put me off here was the slow pace of nearly every composition. While a rhythmically slow song gives the bassist room to play much faster, I wanted to hear one or two songs where these guys' fingers were flying constantly. But alas.

It is nice to hear the way Clarke, Miller & Wooten blend their basses, each taking turns with the lead, or sometimes two or three basses inunison blasting away. Songs like "Thunder", "Mongoose walk" and "Classical Thump" are all examples of this form.

And finally Clarke seems to admit that "Lopsy Lu" and "Silly Putty" are almost the same song, blending both together in a medley where it is often difficult to tell which song is being played when.

If you love bass, this is a good showcase.

But I sort of wish they at least played "Big Bottom". ;)