STEVEN BERNSTEIN

RESONATION TRIO

Royal Potato Family

Steven Bernstein, trumpet/C trumpet/flugelhorn/EVI/composer; Scott Colley, bass; Nasheet Waits, drum; Scotty Hard, producer/Roland 606/Bias BS-2; Hammond organ/Akai MPC 2500/Serato Sampler; Yamaha CS-50/Moog Voyager/Lap Steel/Feedback/percussion/composer.

This is an unusual musical excursion that encompasses two albums in a single compact disc release.  One production is titled “ResoNation Trio” where Steven Bernstein is joined by Scott Colley on bass and Nasheet Waits on drums to present a chord less trio. They explore improvised experimental music together as the “Resonation Trio.”  In the same package, Bernstein includes the work of pioneering producer, Scotty Hard.  He took what the trio recorded and reimagined it into a completely different album.  The producer, Scotty Hard, took the original tracks and broke down the ResoNation Trio sessions into parts, turning their original recording into a totally different, mutant creation. This unique transformation created another album of music.  This is reflected on the two-sided cover of their album.  Scotty Hard’s version is titled “Ultra Resonance.” This is my first time experiencing two albums on a single disc, inside a single jacket.

The music remixed and reinvented by Scotty Hard takes a more pronounced Avant-garde turn, inviting the listener down a twisting path of freedom and creativity.

The inspiration of trumpet, bass and drums lends a purity and sparseness that lets me concentrate on the musicianship and creativity of each musician. Bernstein has composed all the original music. On tracks 11 – 18, Scott Hard has rearranged and Scott Harding is listed as composer.

They open with “Turf” on the “ResoNation Trio” part of the album. Colley’s acoustic bass introduces this piece, setting time and mood. Bernstein’s trumpet soon joins him, sweet and exploratory on top of the bass counter melody with Nahseet Waits rolling his thunderous drums under the precision of swiftly moving drumsticks.  This is experimental music.It’s quite palatable to my ears and soothing. It’s different than the second half of this double set that Scotty Hard produced.

The tune “Pettiford” dances onto the scene with Waits’ busy drums sticks flying and pulsing the trap drums with energy and excitement. Meanwhile, Bernstein poses staccato trumpet notes sparsely on top of the drums and walking bass. This composition is quite interesting and engaging. I like the openness of their production and the various musical ideas each musician brings to the table.

Bernstein’s use of slide trumpet during this project is captivating. It’s one of his secret weapons.

This unique trio displays sweet Avant-garde music with appealing beauty. It’s delightfully melodious and sparkling with innovation.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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