Open Country (2003)

"Jazz fans know Berner mainly as bassist of the Gerard Kleijn Group. On this splendid album the Dutch American takes on the roll of band leader. Bassists quite often have the tendency in their solo projects to want to showcase themselves as virtuosi; Berner is luckily not that pretentious. Because, although the bass is beautifully recorded and mixed somewhat in the foreground, on Open Country it's all about the group sound and the strong compositions. Berner's originals are beautiful, sometimes melancholy songs that fit in seamlessly with the selected standards. In terms of mood the CD is comparable with projects by Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny: it is jazz, but the wide open American landscape is never far away. The Calexico-effect or something like it in any case. With vibraphonist Frits Landesbergen , guitarist Ed Verhoeff and drummer Dré Pallemaerts Paul Berner has assembled a group of wonderful musicians around himself. Monty Alexander (piano) is special guest. This is simply a beautiful CD." (Heaven)