Finck's Bassic Instinct

Finck's Bassic Instinct

Bruce Von Stiers

About three years ago, I reviewed a great album, Bassically Jazz, by bassist David Finck. Aside from recording his own music, Finck has worked with such artists as Eldon John, Rod Stewart and Natalie Cole. He also toured with Andre Previn several times.

At the end of 2021, Finck released his latest album. Following his bass theme, the title of the new album is Bassic Instinct. The album was released on the Burton Avenue Music label.

The album has a play time of just under an hour. It contains thirteen songs, two of which are original compositions from Finck.

Finck plays bass on all of the songs on the album. He is joined by a large cross section of musicians, who play on various songs. Quinn Johnson plays piano and keyboards on several songs. Ted Firth also plays piano on the album as does Meg Ruby. Philippe Saisse plays the keyboards on one song. The drummers who play on the album are Teo Lima, Eric Halvorson, Cliff Almond, Kevin Winard and Clint De Ganon. Ryan Quigley and Barry Daneilian were on trumpet for the album. Andy Snitzer was on tenor saxophone and Mike Davis was on trombone. Bob Mann and Nelson Faria were the guitar players for the album. And Laura Conwesser played the flute for a couple of songs. Each of these artists have numerous credits, far too many to list here.

Three of the songs on the album have vocals. These are done by Teka Penterich and Trist Curless on one song and Kelly Mittleman on another. A third song features the vocal talents of Melissa Errico.

The title track, Bassic Instinct, is first up on the album. It is a smile effecting, toe tapping piece. It might make you think of a film scene where a couple is moving through a plaza, twirling and swirling. This is first original composition on the album.

Then there is The Best Thing For You (Would Be Me). This Irving Berlin penned piece is nicely done. It has some excellent piano, with subtle drum and bass backing it up.

Fast paced in parts, then slowing down for a mellower sound is the Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer song Dearly Beloved. But just when you think that the song will be slow through it's finish, the pace picks back up with some slick keyboard work.

I remember, as a kid, my parents used to watch the detective show, Mannix. The show was on CBS from 1968 until 1975. Aside from being a decent detective show, it had a nice, mellow theme song. Finck does a nice job on this album with an arrangement of the Theme from"Mannix." The song makes good use of Finck's bass playing.

Next up is the bossa nova styled tune, Bateu, Levou/ Who's Wrong or Right? Finck wrote the music, with English lyrics by Wilma Classon and Portuguese lyrics by Celso Vifora. This is the song with vocals by Teka Penterich and Trist Curless. The vocals are smooth and the music is fun.

Seascape is a slow and endearing song from John Mandel. It has subtle bass and piano.

I have always enjoyed the song Tea For Two. It is well done here.

There is some wonderful flute on the song Joy.

So What is kind of a R & B styled song. It features the vocals of Kelly Mittleman.

Try to Remember may be the best known song from the musical The Fantasticks. But another great song from the musical is Soon It's Gonna Rain. There is a superb instrumental version of the song on this album.

Toe tapping piano can be found in the fun piece, Tico Tico No Fuba.

Laden with bass, there is a subtle song near the end of the album titled. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You).

The final song on the album is I Remember. Co-written by Finck and Jack Murphy, it features the wonderful vocals of Melissa Errico.

Bassic Instinct is a terrific album. Not only does David Finck provide great renditions of establisheInd classics, he has some nice original compositions as well. I especially liked the rendition of Tea For Two and the theme song from Mannix. And the vocal pieces were exceptional as well.

Bassic Instinct is available at amazon and other music outlets and streaming services.

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