Jazz
Jeff Berlin - Arranger, Bass, Choir, Chorus, Compilation Producer, Keyboards, Liner Notes, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Bryan Rutter - Choir, Chorus
Chris Hughes - Choir, Chorus
Clare Fischer - Keyboards
Frank Gambale - Guitar
Jeff Porcaro - Drums, Tom-Tom
Jeffrey Weber - Choir, Chorus, Producer
Keith England - Vocals
Neal Schon - Guitar
Neil Peart - Drums
Paul Gilbert - Guitar
Paul Kingery - Vocals (Background)
Roger Love - Vocals
Ron Reinhardt - Arranger, Keyboards
Ronnie Montrose - Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Scott Henderson - Guitar
Steve Smith - Drums
T Lavitz - Keyboards
Tris Imboden - Drums
Walter Afanasieff - DX-7, Keyboards
* Amy Bennick - Design
* Dan Marx - Executive Producer
To most listeners, Jeff Berlin is utterly unknown as a musician and composer; to progressive rock enthusiasts, however, Berlin is a god, ranked alongside Jaco Pastorious and Victor Wooten as one of the most exciting virtuoso bassists ever. Crossroads compiles his first two albums, Pump It! and Champion, into a single-disc "greatest hits" of sorts, although neither album had much impact beyond jazz-rock circles. Splashy keyboards and '80s slickness date the recordings considerably, but the new track order plays well, with Buddy Miles, Neil Peart, Ronnie Montrose, and Neal Schon being a few of the musicians contributing master chops. The set also features the first recordings of guitarist extraordinaire Scott Henderson and presents Berlin, surprisingly, in more of a supporting than a starring role, although "Manos De Piedra," "Dixie," and the incredibly melodic "Bach" show off some of his fantastic virtuosic soloing.
---Jim Smith, All Music Guide |
