Marc Johnson: Overpass

With "Overpass" Marc Johnson makes a decisive and fascinating contribution to ECM's solo bass tradition. Johnson's experiments with the bass and its potential as a lead voice began during his time in the Bill Evans Trio, where his late-night solo feature on "Nardis," a Miles Davis piece, inspired him to explore new ideas. "Nardis" is reprised on this studio album, recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil, alongside Alex North's "Love Theme from Spartacus" (another Evans Trio favorite), Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance," and five Johnson originals, including "Samurai Fly," a rewrite of "Samurai Hee-Haw" that Marc had previously recorded for ECM with his Bass Desires Band and the John Abercrombie Trio.