Alec Berlin - Man's Best Friend

Alec Berlin, a 25-year veteran of the New York City music scene, has released his latest album, "Man's Best Friend," as part of a 12-song project. The album showcases Berlin's love for concise pop-rock songwriting and his expertise as a guitarist. The instrumental album is a collection of hooky and exciting songs that take the listener on a journey.

Berlin's decision to make an instrumental album was born out of a desire for a new challenge. He wanted to explore how to fill the void left by the absence of singing and how to make the music just as compelling without words. This challenge became the driving force behind "Space Punk and Other Junk," his fourth release. Berlin's dream inspired him to start writing new songs, and he found plenty of material gestating in his subconscious.

After playing live gigs around NYC and refining the material, the lockdown left Berlin stuck at home, with nothing to do but work on his music. So he booked time at Williamsburg's Grand Street Recording, where he and his band recorded basic tracks under the watchful eyes and ears of Ken Rich. Berlin spent the following months occupied with guitar overdubs until eventually he sent the completed tracks to engineer James Frazee for mixing.

The resulting collection is a source of constant surprise for Berlin. Even though he knew the music really well, it kept developing in ways that he never expected. From early demos to live performances, basic tracking to overdubs, and mixing and mastering, the music took on greater depth and dimension at each step.

In Cleveland, Ohio, where he was raised, Berlin began his quest to become a highly sought-after sideman on stages and in studios of all sizes. Before relocating to New York City 25 years ago, he earned a master's degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Berlin's gigging career started to take off, and soon long he was performing in Green Day's American Idiot on Broadway. Since then, artists including Elton John, James Taylor, Rob Thomas, Ben Folds, Kenny Wheeler, and Rufus Wainwright have performed on stages with him. In Come From Away since 2017, Berlin has been featured, notably in the movie that is presently available for viewing on Apple TV+.

It is possible to hear different layers in just one track that evoke different emotions, and the opening track Man's Best Friend, which gives the album its title and provides a taste of what the record is about, is among the excellent instrumental tracks on the successful album.

In conclusion, Alec Berlin's "Man's Best Friend" is an unconventional album that showcases his love of concise pop-rock songwriting and his expertise as a guitarist. The instrumental album is a collection of hooky and exciting songs that take the listener on a journey.