Sometimes I wish I was Ron Carter... or at least could play like him.

So, being a bassist and an audio engineer you spend most of your time listening to music. In your car, at work, at home, radio, internet, internet-radio...etc. It is rare to hear something that really combines the best of both worlds. A song, let alone an entire record, that has both killer bass and spot on audio production.  Well have I got a record for you. It has it all. Killer bass playing, spot on audio production, and I am even going to throw in, some amazing playing and composition.  Ron Carter!! is the man I am speaking of and his album "The Bass & I" is one I constantly find myself coming back to. You can check it out in the discography section on his website. If you can put this record on a good sound system, awe heck!, even on my computer speakers it still sounds amazing, though, if you can play it through a good set of speakers or sound system that's rated for Frequency Response of 20 hz->20 khz and listen to the subtle sonic qualities of the recording come alive. You will find that both the warmth and, what I like to call, the "realness" of the recording come alive and are amazing. It doesn't feel like a recording, it puts you, the listener, right there with them on the gig or the rehearsal studio. It's as if the quality of the recording let's your imagination run wild, seeing in your minds-eye the room and the musicians. Seeing them playing the notes and looking around at one another watching and listening to see where "this is all going." As a Bassist listening to his playing can be quite, do I dare say, euphoric.  At first listen, he isn't very notey. He isn't filling up all of the measures and sonic space with bass.  His playing is subtle, timed, and quite honestly perfect. He let's each note breathe. Each one is played with passion and expression, feeling like it is has been perfectly hand picked and placed in that moment. To a point where theory and grace all come together. He sets the stage for the other players to express themselves.  His bass playing is so consistent that the other player's don't have to think, what is he gonna do and what am I gonna do when he does it. Listening to the record you get the idea that everyone feels comfortable and relaxed. That is something that is truly rare. Sure, other guys may know the tunes and play them right and well, but "that feeling" never comes across.  I wish I had a better way to describe it and perhaps one day I will. The best way I can is to say, "that feeling" is like talking about the "it factor" "you either have it or you don't and you've got it". Be assured this album has "it."


Thanks + Peace and Blessings, ~JAG