The Guitar Player's Resource
Thinking Out Loud is a bass-fest from the opening track to the last cut, fifty minutes later. The thirteen instrumental tracks comprising Jerome Robinson's CD-R album are filled with his "lead bass" technique and compositional style. The CD-R was culled from a cassette release, and due to the 4-track source material, the result is definitely low-fi, making it harder to appreciate Robinson's ability. But he comes across anyway as an original, offering lightly orchestrated, (bass, drum sampler, some keyboards) improvisational gambits that spotlight the bass techniques used, such as pinch harmonics, chordal playing and more. Robinson's intent was to re-record the songs in the studio, but he ultimately preferred the vibe of the original tracks.
Starting on the bass guitar after high school, Jerome looked to guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai and David Gilmour for influences in composition and technique. Jerome also learned keyboards and basic drums, but focused on the bass as his primary instrument. After a gospel group he was playing in lost their guitarist, Jerome picked up the slack with his bass, playing many more fills and using his bass in a lead role while continuing to hold down the groove. Improvising into a 4-track recorder led to the tracks on Thinking Out Loud, many melodies and leads invented on the spot as the tape was rolling.
Robinson is currently performing material from Thinking Out Loud live to backing tracks. His future plans include putting a band together (bass, drums, sax) and working on material for his next album -- musical direction unknown -- the way Robinson likes it!
Thunder Communications, Inc.
Attn: Jerome Robinson
P.O. Box 2727
Dunnellon, FL 34430
United States