Duet 1

John Lindberg has been heard in a variety of groups over the years — some with a pianist and some without a pianist, some with saxophonists or trumpeters and some without saxophonists or trumpeters. Lindberg, at his best, knows how to rise to the occasion, which is exactly what he does on Duets 1. This 2004 date finds the acoustic bassist forming a duo with German improviser Karl Berger — who is heard on both acoustic piano and vibes — and together, they deliver a mildly avant-garde album that is more inside (in a post-bop way) than outside but certainly has its share of abstraction. If you are an instrumentalist, duet recordings are not advisable unless you have a really strong rapport with your musical partner and know exactly what you are doing. That's because the more intimate the setting, the less room there is to hide; getting lost in the crowd is hardly an option when only two musicians are on board. But Lindberg and Berger have nothing to hide; they are skillful, seasoned improvisers (Berger turned 70 in 2005), and they enjoy a consistently strong rapport whether they are turning their attention to original material or Ornette Coleman's "Peace." Hearing Berger on both piano and vibes is a treat; he handles himself enjoyably well on both instruments. But whether one is hearing an acoustic bass/acoustic piano duet or an acoustic bass/vibes duet, there is no doubt that Lindberg and Berger are very much in sync. Nonetheless, Duets 1 might be a little too cerebral and abstract for some listeners — at least those who don't have a taste for the avant-garde. But listeners who are not intimidated by the cerebral will find a lot to like about Lindberg's intimate duets with Berger.