Album Liner Notes
Crazy Bird
Crazy Bird captures Clare Fischer's Salsa Picante project in a tight one-day studio document, and Jeff Berlin is part of that core band picture rather than a brief cameo appearance.
Overview
This is one of the better examples of Jeff Berlin working inside a Latin-jazz ensemble architecture rather than a fusion power-trio format. The bass role is supportive, groove-specific, and arrangement-aware across the record.
The instrumentation is unusually dense for the era: two bass-identified voices in the credits (Jeff Berlin and Brent Fischer), multiple percussion chairs, and brass/reed color from Bill Watrous and Dick Mitchell. That setup makes the album feel arranged rather than jam-driven.
AllMusic's recording metadata and Discogs release notes align on the key production frame: tracked June 19, 1984 at Excalibur Studio, then issued in 1985. This date/release split is worth preserving in the entry.
Quick Snapshot
- Released in 1985 on Discovery Records (DS-914 LP / DCSD-914 CD), with copyright and phonographic credit to Discovery.
- Discogs lists eight tracks spanning salsa and Latin-jazz writing, including the title tune 'Pajaro Loco (Crazy Bird).'
- The credits combine Fischer-family arranging energy and LA session depth: Jeff Berlin on bass, Brent Fischer on electric bass/percussion/mallet instruments, Walfredo Reyes on drums, and a heavy percussion frontline.
Jeff in full ensemble context
Berlin is credited on bass within the main Salsa Picante lineup, not as a one-track guest.
Single-session studio frame
Discogs and AllMusic both point to Excalibur Studio recording on June 19, 1984, with release the following year.
Arranged Latin-jazz palette
Percussion-heavy orchestration, brass/reed accents, and layered bass textures give the album a composed feel.
Listen For
Bernie's Tune
The opener lays out the band's blend of bebop source material and salsa-jazz rhythmic treatment.
Pajaro Loco (Crazy Bird)
The title cut is compact and energetic, functioning as the album's central identity marker.
Pavillon
At 8:30, the closer is the broadest arrangement on the record and best showcases the ensemble's layered voicings.
Track Listing
- 1. Bernie's Tune — 5:00
- 2. Where Are The Children? (Ay, Los Pequenos) — 4:35
- 3. Serenidade — 3:50
- 4. La Mucura — 4:20
- 5. Pajaro Loco (Crazy Bird) — 2:55
- 6. Solar Patrol (Patrulla Solar) — 5:30
- 7. Canto Africano — 3:45
- 8. Pavillon — 8:30
Musicians
- Clare Fischer: electric piano, organ
- Jeff Berlin: bass
- Brent Fischer: electric bass, percussion, marimba, vibraphone
- Walfredo Reyes Jr.: drums, percussion
- Luis Conte: congas, bongos, percussion
- Michito Sanchez: congas
- Danny Embrey: electric guitar
- Rick Zunigar: guitar
- Dick Mitchell: flute, soprano saxophone
- Bill Watrous: trombone
- Brian Kilgore: percussion
Technical Credits
- Producer: Albert Marx
- Engineer: Arne Frager
- Mastered by: Bruce Leek
- Recorded at Excalibur Studio, June 19, 1984
- Released in 1985 on Discovery Records (DS-914 LP, DCSD-914 CD, DSC-914 cassette)
- Manufactured by Sanyo Japan on early CD pressing