Mike Stern - Between the Lines
Poll-winning guitarist Mike Stern has long ago established a major rep
in the music world on the strength of his exciting and innovative style.
His forceful, blues-inflected lines and blazing speed over jazz changes
have served as a kind of secret weapon for the likes of
Blood, Sweat & Tears (1976-78), Billy Cobham (1978-79),
Miles Davis (1981-83), Jaco Pastorius (1983-84), David Sanborn (1985),
Steps Ahead (1986), Michael Brecker (1986-88),
the Mike Stern-Bob Berg Band (1989-92) and the Brecker Brothers (1992-93).
Stern has also distinguished himself as a player of uncommon sensitivity and lyricism,
perhaps best exemplified by his highly acclaimed 1993 album
Standards (and other songs),
which led to Stern being named Best Jazz Guitarist by the readers and critics
of Guitar Player magazine, or his recent guest appearances with
saxophonist Joe Henderson and guitar great Jim Hall.
On Between The Lines, his follow-up
to last year's Grammy-nominated
Is What It Is, Stern delivers more of his
trademark bop `n' roll on ten new original compositions.
The band includes saxophonist Bob Malach (Steve Miller, Ben Sidran, Horace Silver),
longtime bass associate Jeff Andrews (Steps Ahead, Vital Information) and
world renowned drummer Dave Weckl (Chick Corea Elektric/Akoustic Band, Brecker Brothers).
Stern's former rhythm section mates in the Mike Stern-Bob Berg Band,
drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Lincoln Goines, also appear on two tracks.
From the energetic opener Sunnyside to the slamming funk of Lose the Suit
to the ferocious With a Twist,
Stern and company state their case with power and conviction.
"The idea behind this record was to use guys that I had been touring with a lot",
Stern explained.
"I wanted a live band sound and I feel like that came across.
I felt good about the whole vibe of the record.
It's loose but tight at the same time.
And there's stuff going on with these cats that can only happen
if you've been playing together a bunch."
The players strike a soulful accord on True Enough,
a gospel-flavored number underscored by producer Jim beard's cushiony organ work,
and they summon up an affecting folky quality on Pages,
which features some searing sax by Malach.
Stern reveals his more sensitive side with rich chordal work on Wing and a Prayer,
then wails with urgency on the power ballad Tell Me.
Weckl is showcased on the dynamic You Never Know and the trio swings
with loose abandon on the spirited closer Bait Tone Blues,
which also showcases Andrews' incredible solo facility on electric bass guitar.
"Dave and Jeff have a nice hookup, noted Stern.
We've been playing consistently together for the past year and the chemistry
is getting stronger.
They're both terrific players, heartfelt, very precise, but loose at the same time.
That's my favorite aspect of their or anybody else's playing this kind of idiom...
the looseness and possibility for interplay.
And I think they're both digging the fact that with this kind of trio we play a lot
of straight ahead swinging stuff but we rock out too.
Most of the guys that I am fortunate enough to work with consistently have those qualities.
They are all very much into the tradition of straight ahead jazz but they also
definitely grew up with blues and rock and funk.
And there aren't that many guys who can play this music with conviction
in all those areas."
"Mike Stern is a beautiful guitarist in the true jazz tradition,
combining natural lyricism, fluency in diverse musical languages and seamless burning technique.
He is one of the true guitar greats of this generation."
Andy Aledort Guitar World
"Between the Lines proves Stern is not only a magician of the fretboard,
but a heartfelt and mature composer of great depth."
Jon Chappell Guitar Magazine
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