S.M.V.

“Thunder”

Heads Up International

For those of us in the ever-expanding bass hero crowd, the Bass Player Live! concert in October 2006 was something of a godsend. Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten, arguably three of the greatest bass players alive, let loose a blazing three-way bass jam. Many of us thought this was a mere novelty, and we’d never see the likes of it again.

Fortunately for us, however, we were wrong. Barely two years after the concert, Stanley, Marcus. and Victor have reunited under the moniker S.M.V., once again challenging the conception of bass as a sideline instrument with their latest release, the aptly titled Thunder. Featuring the legendary trio along with an impressive roster of guest musicians including Chick Corea, George Duke, and Butterscotch, Thunder lives up to the general hype one may expect upon its release.

Unlike most virtuoso projects, Thunder strives to create a cohesive musical canvas instead of relying on flashy solo-based indulgence. The end result is a solid album that runs the gamut from funky hip-hop beats (“Thunder”, “TutTu ) to arco/pizzicato acoustic bass coupled with arpeggiated slap ‘n’ tap counterpoint (“Milano”, “Classical Thump”) and beyond. Despite the variety of styles employed, Thunder still maintains its sense of direction and avoids the pitfalls of excess.

All three bass players share writing credits on the album, and it’s readily apparent that none took too much precedence over another. What is most impressive about this album is how fluid the interplay between Stanley, Marcus, and Victor stays through its entirety. Each player finds his own space to operate in without infringing on anyone else’s territory. No one player stays in the limelight longer than another, and there’s no sense of competition whatsoever. This sense of equality is crucial in maintaining Thunder’s balance. It would be easy for any of these legendary players to get carried away, but luckily for the listener, Stanley, Marcus, and Victor strive to serve the almighty groove, giving us a fantastic album and breaking new ground for bass players everywhere.

- Eren Lee

****1/2