Musicians like to form bands. Even if each individual is already well known, the potential is increased by joining forces. Bassist Brian Bromberg, guitarist and producer Paul Brown and saxophonist Michael Paulo form a new supergroup called BPM. BPM stands for Beat Per Minutes, a composer’s most accurate way to indicate the desired tempo.

Their joint product is entitled Seriously and underlines the trio's intention. The band is supported by numerous well-known musicians as part of the professional production to achieve the perfect sound. Details can be found in the credits. The project was conceived and initiated by Paul Brown, who also encouraged Brian and Michael to take part.

The album opens with Eastside Party. Stylistically, the song is reminiscent of George Benson or Peter White mixed with a little Philly sound. Breakfast in Bed conveys a relaxed atmosphere, with Paul Brown and Brian Bromberg merging their sound into a flow that never seems to end. Here and there Philippe Saisse shines with his genius on the piano.

Funk is still alive. What could be a better prove than the bluesy Seriously? You can clearly tell from the song that our three protagonists grew up in the heyday of funk. Gridlock is a problem that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. BPM give us a more pleasant musical meaning to this term.

Tom Schuman is the former keyboardist of the band Spyro Gyra and has contributed to all of their albums. Since he moved to Barcelona (Spain) and separated from the group, things have been a little quieter around him. So it's a pleasant surprise to be able to hear him as a guest on the lovely Black Pearl.

Slip Slide is especially dedicated to the master of bass, who has ample opportunity to present his technique on the instruments in particular. Brian performs 5 string bass, 4 string bass, piccolo bass, among others. Nice and Slow is exactly that, what the title promises. Lew Laing Jr. provides the seductive chords with precious hook on the keyboard, an unmistakable reference to Summer Madness.

Don't Look Back is the advice the trio gives us. Good music invents itself, especially when three such brilliant musicians come together. You're All I Need is dedicated to your life partners who make life together worth living. Yes, music can also express warming tenderness. Paradise is the place where most of us would like to be. Everyone has their own idea of how they would like to be. BPM realize them with their own music.

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," originates from the work of philosopher Aristotle. Seriously is not simply the addition of three musicians at the height of their creative powers, but leads in a kind of chain reaction to a musical dynamic that makes this album unique.

 

 

 

 

 

Biography

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Album Information

Title: Seriously
Artist: BPM
Year: 2024
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Label: Shanachie Entertainment

Tracks:
 
1) "Eastside Party" (3:56)
2) "Breakfast in Bed (Featuring Philippe Saisse)" (4:48)
3) "Seriously?" (5:50)
4) "Gridlock" (4:26)
5) "Black Pearl (Featuring Tom Schuman)" (4:43)
6) "Slip Slide" (4:27)
7) "Nice and Slow" (4:53)
8) "Don't Look Back" (5:01)
9) "You're All I Need" (4:22)
10) "Paradise" (5:55)

Credits

1. Eastside Party
(Jeffrey LeRoy Smith-Bring It and Swing It Music/ASCAP,
Paul Brown-Yo Cats Music/BMI, Brian Bromberg-Be
Squared Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-Nylon String Piccolo Bass (sounds like a
nylon string guitar), 5 String Bass, 4 String Bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Flute, Tenor Sax
Jeffrey L. Smith-Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums

2. Breakfast in Bed (Featuring Philippe Saisse)
(Lew Laing Jr.-Jordan/Balter Music/BMI, Brian Bromberg-
Be Squared Music/BMI, Paul Brown-Yo Cats Music/BMI,
Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-Nylon String Piccolo Bass (sounds like a
nylon string guitar), Upright bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Tenor Sax
Philippe Saisse-Piano and Strings
Lew Laing Jr.-Keyboards
Tony Moore-Drums

3. Seriously?
(Brian Bromberg-Be Squared Music/BMI, Paul Brown-Yo
Cats Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-5 String Bass, 4 String Bass, Keyboards,
Percussion
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Tenor Sax
Tom Zink-Keyboards
Gannin Arnold-Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums
Horn section: Andrew Nue-Saxes, Michael Stever-
Trumpets, Nick Lane-Trombone
Horn arrangement- Brian Bromberg and Andrew Neu

4. Gridlock
(Jeffrey LeRoy Smith-Bring It and Swing It Music/ASCAP,
Paul Brown-Yo Cats Music/BMI, Brian Bromberg-Be
Squared Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/ BMI)
Brian Bromberg-5 String Bass, 4 String Bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Alto Sax
Jeffrey L. Smith-Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums

5. Black Pearl (Featuring Tom Schuman)
(Tom Schuman-Cambridge Music/BMI, Paul Brown-Yo Cats
Music/BMI, Brian Bromberg-Be Squared Music/BMI,
Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-5 String Fretless Bass, 5 String Bass, 4
String Bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Soprano Sax
Tom Schuman-Keyboards, Percussion
Tony Moore-Drums

6. Slip Slide
(Jeffrey LeRoy Smith-Bring It and Swing It Music/ASCAP,
Paul Brown-Yo Cats Music/BMI, Brian Bromberg-Be
Squared Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-5 String Bass, 4 String Bass, Piccolo Bass
(sounds like a guitar) –
double on bass solo, Tenor Bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Tenor Sax
Philippe Saisse - Rhodes
Jeffrey L. Smith-Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums

7. Nice and Slow
(Lew Laing Jr.-Jordan/Balter Music/BMI, Brian
Bromberg-Be Squared Music/BMI, Paul Brown-Yo Cats
Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-5 String Bass, 4 String Bass, Tenor Bass,
Piccolo Bass (sounds like a guitar)
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Tenor Sax
Lew Laing Jr.-Keyboards
Andrew Freeman-Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums

8. Don’t Look Back
(Shane Theriot-Shane Theriot Music/ASCAP, Paul Brown-
Yo Cats Music/BMI, Brian Bromberg-Be Squared
Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-Nylon String Piccolo Bass (sounds like a
nylon string guitar), 5 String Bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Tenor Sax
Shane Theriot-Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums

9. You’re All I Need
(Mark Stevens-Groove Junkie Music/BMI, Brian
Bromberg-Be Squared Music/BMI, Paul Brown-Yo Cats
Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-Piccolo Bass (sounds like a guitar), 5
String Bass
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Tenor Sax
Mark Stevens-Keyboards, Percussion
Tony Moore-Drums

10. Paradise
(Brian Bromberg-Be Squared Music/BMI, Paul Brown-Yo
Cats Music/BMI, Michael Paulo-Apaulo Music/BMI)
Brian Bromberg-Piccolo Bass (sounds like a guitar) 5
String Bass, 4 String Bass, Keyboards, Percussion
Paul Brown-Guitar, Percussion
Michael Paulo-Alto Sax
Tom Zink-Keyboards
Gannin Arnold-Rhythm Guitar
Tony Moore-Drums