"The death of keyboardist Jim Beard at the age of 63 in March this year left many in deep shock, such was his continuous presence in the highest echelons of jazz as both player and producer with everyone from Steely Dan, to John McLaughlin and Wayne Shorter. He appears here as both player and producer on this effusive latest set from another indefatigable jazz fusion figure, Mike Stern. No stranger to adversity himself, Stern has made an emphatic comeback from a near career-ending fall in 2017 that broke both his arms, and if anything "Echoes And Other Songs" is something of a late-career high for the eternally energetic six-stringer, who’s now 71 years young. Joined by one of his hardest hitting bands in recent years – the ubiquitous Chris Potter firing from the off, McBride and Sanchez the perfect simpatico rhythm section, there’s a suitably uplifting vibe permeating these sessions, with everyone sounding overjoyed to be backing up their guitar hero Mr Stern." (Jazzwise)
"This album happened because of Mike Stern's relentless determination to remain Mike Stern. In July 2016, he tripped over some concealed construction debris and broke both arms. He fractured both humerus bones and was left with significant nerve damage in his right hand, preventing him from holding a guitar pick. After surgery, he gradually strengthened his grip, and allowed him to regain his speed and technical precision. The recording of "Trip" began six months after the accident. Some of the track titles -- "Screws," "Scotch Tape And Glue" -- refer to his surgical events. Stern enlisted an all-star cast playing in different configurations, achieving a diversity that even exceeds "All Over the Place". The title track, for instance, with drummer Dennis Chambers, bassist Victor Wooten, keyboardist/album producer Jim Beard, and saxophonist Bob Franceschini is a knotty exercise in rocking jazz-funk fusion with peeling guitar riffs, solos, and fills." (Thom Jurek, Allmusic; 4,5 uit 5 sterren)
Opname: 2008
De gitarist laat verrassend veel soloruimte aan anderen. Vooral Bob Franceschini (saxen, zit ook in z'n live-band) trekt gloedvol van leer. Elizabeth Kontomanou's woordeloze zang doet denken aan de zang op Metheny Group-CD's.
De Japanse jazzdrummer Motohiko Hino (1946-1999) maakte in 1995 een ongewone cd. Met een sterbezetting bracht hij naast eigen materiaal 5 stukken van Jimmy Page en Robert Plant ten gehore. "It takes about three listens to get into this music but the set does reward the time invested. The material is uplifted and the solos are generally quite colorful and stimulating, making this an unlikely success worth checking out by open-minded listeners." (Allmusic)
"What a revelation, after his brilliant romps with the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Henderson and so many others, to find three time Grammy nominee Stern side by side with super bassist-singer Richard Bona at the New Morning in 2004. It was written in the stars that Mike's fiery guitar and Richard's singing bass should meet. Supported rhythmically and melodically by legendary drummer Dennis Chambers and brilliant tenor saxophonist Bob Franceschini, the Mike Stern Band brings forth stirring lyricism that will sound irresistible to music lovers everywhere." (Guitar9)
Fantastische jazzrock plaat (af en toe erg veel 'rock') met o.m. Michael Brecker, meesterdrummer Dennis Chambers en Jim Beard. Stern beheerst zijn instrument als slechts weinig anderen. Scofield- of Carlton-liefhebbers mogen dit niet missen.
Onze website en deze zoekfunctie is vernieuwd en we werken er op dit moment hard aan om de laatste puntjes op de i te zetten. Mis je bepaalde functionaliteiten, dan vind je hieronder tijdelijk nog de link naar oude zoekfunctie.
