Album Review: Heart Mind and Soul from Randy Bernsen

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Album:  Heart Mind and Soul
Artist:  Randy Bernsen
Label: Jerico Jams
Website:  randybernsen.com

Randy Bernsen exerts his prowess as a lyrical composer and versatile guitarist with this six-track release, Heart Mind and Soul, his 11th project as a leader.  The melodic motifs, as though glass-blown from his guitar, are scaffold by the clarion toots of saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Bob Franceschini, interspersed by the sleek flickers of Dan Davis's trumpet.  The rhythm section comprised of bass player Jimmy Haslip, drummer David Nizri, and keyboardists George Whitty and Uzi Nizri complement the harmonic forms.

The octet create multifaceted soundscapes, parlaying an assortment of jazz fusion blends from smooth jazz clauses, bop-induced lobes, and improvised excursions.  Bernsen inseminates sizzling streaks across"Chant 881," giving the score a shot of spontaneity as his improvised fragments form unrestrained ruptures and agile curves along its progression.  The smooth jazz sonorous of his guitar form glass-blown fabrications, branding "Shepherd's Heart" with a pensive mood, then guiding the soft dripping toots of the horns inserted along "Prodigal Son" to produce reefs of cushiony glimmers.

“Abba Father” is raftered by Bernsen’s stylized musings etched into his melodic clauses, punctuated by the glinting doodles of Uzi Nizri's keys, dancing with a gracefulness that captivates the listener.  Bernsen sears funky raptures along "Billy Gate Blues," giving the track a gritty blues tone blended with a bopping beat for a whirling jazz fusion effect, while "With You Always" has a balmy atmosphere bolstered by the tuneful emanations from his guitar riffs.

Calling South Florida home, guitarist-composer-leader Randy Bernsen is a master at creating glass-blown figments from his guitar, scaffold by flavorful textures.  The music has a harmonious slant wherever Bernsen takes the audience.

Musicians:
Randy Bernsen - guitar
Bob Mintzer - saxophone
Bob Franceschini - saxophone
Jimmy Haslip - bass
Dan Davis - trumpet
George Whitty - keyboards
Uzi Nizri - keyboards
David Nizri - drums

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