The Ballads of Kelly Roberti: Slumber

Published: March 18, 2011

Acclaimed Bozeman bassist Kelly Roberti has assembled some top talent to help him create an album that’s just right for winding down on a late evening. Aptly titled Slumber, the CD meanders through seven relaxing original numbers with Roberti playing bass, Alan Fauque on saxophones, Eric Funk, piano, and guest vocalist Jeni Fleming.

“Counting sheep, I sleep,” Fleming whispers on the title cut, stretching out the words to drowsy, pretty piano. Fauque demonstrates his astounding technique playing dreamy lines on “Vittorio,” as Roberti sounds out the deep, deep bottom notes and produces some inventive lead; and “Faithful” has Funk tiptoeing on piano, laying down the Latin ambience, Fleming singing softly and Fauque cookin’ on sax.

Right about this time you notice there are no drums. But they’re not missed. Roberti is so good and understated, and spot-on rhythm-wise, it’s obvious he’s the percussive linchpin.

The enigmatically titled “The Cleansing in the Dance of the Sad” has Roberti leading off, and Fauque wailin’ on soprano sax, cool and trembly. Fleming and Fauque combine on “Bullets” (“I would take bullets, square off with demons”), as Roberti takes off on some riffs.

One of the great charms of jazz is that you can hear the silences between notes. “Lullaby,” with its quiet, nocturnal feel, makes room for them. Nice.

Roberti has appeared on a slew of albums with the best Montana jazz players as well as other world-class musicians; he received the 2010 Montana Governor’s Award for the Arts besides.

And proving that he’s savvy about making music in the 21st century, not only is Roberti is offering this album as a conventional CD, but also in a “new and unique reusable form, on an exclusive, Slumber commemorative USB flash drive.”

Visit www.kellyroberti.com for more details.

– Mariss McTucker