Listening to a bass player’s album is like watching porn to me. At first it seems like a good idea, but a few minutes in I get bore and would rather nap. I also feel inadequate about my own performance and a little embarrassed. However, Leslie Johnson’s CD, Bass and Beyond left me wide awake and wanting more. Sure Johnson is a stellar electric bassist playing his instrument since a teenager, but he also composed, produced and arranged the CD. Bass and Beyond leans heavily on Johnson’s jazz, R&B background yet recalls such bass giants as Marcus Miller and Chuck Rainey. 

The CD opener “Invincible” combines elements of hip-hop and funk building a trick and tasty bass stew. Johnson then takes a slight left with a great fusion track, “No Giants Allowed”. The track features blazing B-3 organ and guitar solos being supported by Johnson’s thumping bass and also guest star Nikki Glaspie of Beyonce, Kanye West fame. Johnson demonstrates a wide and tasteful sonic palette with the fantastic fusion jazz of “Nothing But Grace”, a fitting tribute to Marcus Miller ( “Mr.M”), and the Weather Report like “Three Days” ( which features Alvaro Lopez of David Garfield and Abraham Laboriel fame).

Expertly recorded and sonically pleasing, this is not an album (just) for bass players, its an album for fans of funk, electric jazz and innovative compositions. I’ll admit there were several times though when I though to myself, ‘damn he’s a great player, why can’t I do that…’. Luckily, Leslie Johnson’s  website offers a few bass playing tips.