"Pondering the Sushi" is a collection of 13 contemporary jazz tunes with a refreshingly organic and live feel. A tapestry of stylistic influences including funk, Latin, fusion, acid jazz & pop styles, 11 of the 13 son... more »gs are original compositions, while the remaining two include a sparse and pensive interpretation of The Police's "Roxanne", as well as Norm's solo bass rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" recorded late one evening while overlooking the streets of New York City, 31 floors below. The project continues to garner positive feedback from print and on-line media including Bass Player, Jazziz, Bass Frontiers, Christian Musician, Bassically.net, Roland Users Group, SmoothChristianJazz.com and GlobalBass.com. "The Race" (opening track from "Pondering the Sushi"), has also been selected for Bass Talk 7, the upcoming compilation from Germany's Hotwire Records, slated for release in early 2002. The playlist will include tracks from notables such as Jeff Berlin, Tom Kennedy (with Dave Weckl), Kai Eckhardt and Jimmy Haslip (with Danny Gottlieb). "Pondering the Sushi" is an entertaining and engaging musical experience.« less
"Pondering the Sushi" is a collection of 13 contemporary jazz tunes with a refreshingly organic and live feel. A tapestry of stylistic influences including funk, Latin, fusion, acid jazz & pop styles, 11 of the 13 songs are original compositions, while the remaining two include a sparse and pensive interpretation of The Police's "Roxanne", as well as Norm's solo bass rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" recorded late one evening while overlooking the streets of New York City, 31 floors below. The project continues to garner positive feedback from print and on-line media including Bass Player, Jazziz, Bass Frontiers, Christian Musician, Bassically.net, Roland Users Group, SmoothChristianJazz.com and GlobalBass.com. "The Race" (opening track from "Pondering the Sushi"), has also been selected for Bass Talk 7, the upcoming compilation from Germany's Hotwire Records, slated for release in early 2002. The playlist will include tracks from notables such as Jeff Berlin, Tom Kennedy (with Dave Weckl), Kai Eckhardt and Jimmy Haslip (with Danny Gottlieb). "Pondering the Sushi" is an entertaining and engaging musical experience.
CD Reviews
Go eat sushi!!
R. C. Aston | Leamington Spa | 03/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The electric bass has come a long way in 25 years and the instrument is more fashionable than ever. Lots of aspiring new technicians are quick to learn the chops of Jaco, Stanley et al, but it takes more than great technique to make great music.No problems here then, because Norm Stockton is a great bass player with real musical feel. Pondering the Sushi is a great first release.It kicks off with The Race and its nod to Marcus Miller, with some fat, meaty tone on the slap and pops. If you love Marcus, you're gonna love this.Stockton can play uptempo or laid back. His version of The Police tune, Roxanne, is simply gorgeous with a beautiful slap melody solo at its heart. The grooves move from jazz to latin to smooth with ease. Larry Williams superb muted trumpet hints at Miles, but this album is never merely an imitator.It hooks you in and maintains the interest level throughout and Stockton's tone is to die for.Get the impression I like this? You will too ... so buy it now, you won't regret it - then you can go tell all your friends you discovered him first."
Great album !
02/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All I can say is WOW !
The first track I heard was 'the race' which was included in a german bass sampler (Hotwire's Bass Talk 7). Listening to this album I can hardly tell which track I like best. From rather laid back tracks like 'Ill return for you' or 'giavonna marie' to the fat 'a tender namm moment', each and every of them is a stunning experience.If you're a jazz and/or bass guitar fan you better hit that ol' Add to shopping cart icon ;)PS : Waiting for your next project, Norm !!!"
Wow
Susan C. Rosenmann | Upstate New York | 02/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Norm Stockton has put together a teriffic album. If you are into bass guitar, this is a must have album. If you are into Jazz, the album is a must have. If you are into sushi .... well you get the point. The closing track, "giavonna marie" is a moving bass and drums duet (with a few added instruments)that can't be beat. Unlike some solo type bass, this is more solid than flashy, but he intermingles various slap techniques seamlessly to create a work of art. The drum work, by David Owens is equally adept.I bought this album as part of my search for excellent bassists who I can emulate in my own playing. Of all the ones I have, this may be the best because Norm rarely departs from laying down a solid beat, the most important part of playing bass... and uses solid technique, rather than flash, to impress even the most casual listener. One more thing... Norm plays an MTD bass.... giving his sound a richness that I believe is truely unique among bass guitars today."
A skillful musician with soul beyond the music
Tod Bolsinger | San Clemente, CA USA | 12/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Norm's combination of bass licks, accessible music and delightful surprises will hook even non-bass junkies. Don't miss the liner notes. They tell you that there is more to this man than music. A must get."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1