Record Reviews

STANLEY CLARKE ~ THE COMPLETE 1970S EPIC ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979312227 (Barcode: 886979312227) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1979 Released: 2012 American bassist / composer / bandleader Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist is one of the iconic figures of the Jazz-Rock Fusion explosion, which swept the world in the late 1960s / early 1970s. His distinctive and virtuosic bass lines have set standards, which are followed to this very day, with very few bass players being able to play as technically perfect as he always did and even fewer to be as inventive, groundbreaking and innovative. Although primarily associated with Fusion and the electric bass guitar, Clarke always was (and still is) an exceptional acoustic bass player with a superb Jazz technique and sensitivity. Clarke first came to prominence as a member of the first lineup of the legendary Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s ensemble Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, where his bass lines shaped the music as significantly as Corea´s keyboard wizardry. Clarke stayed with the original band for several years and remained a Corea´s friend and collaborator in the decades that followed. In parallel to his work with Return To Forever, Clarke started a solo recording career, which produced some of Fusion´s and later also Funk´s greatest moments. Following the release of his debut solo album on PolydorFind albums on this label, he switched to the NemperorFind albums on this label label (currently owned by SonyFind albums on this label) and later on to the EpicFind albums on this label label (a subsidiary of ColumbiaFind albums on this label). He recorded five albums for Nemperor between 1974 and 1979, the last of which was a live double LP. In the 1980s and early 1990s his albums were released on Epic. This Box Set includes all the five albums released on Nemperor and as a bonus also a live album recorded during Clarke´s band tours in 1976-1977, which was released only in 1991. Of course the list of names of the musicians, who play alongside Clarke on these albums, reads like an encyclopedia of American music of that period. To mention just a few: keyboardists Jan HammerFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, David SanciousFind albums by this artist and others, guitarists Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist, Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and others, drummers Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist, Steve GaddFind albums by this artist, Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist, Gerry BrownFind albums by this artist and others and a myriad of other musicians. Clarke composed almost every note played here, with very few exceptions, and the music is absolutely marvelous and ass-kicking, as it was at the time it was recorded. Clarke was often criticized for utilizing his vocals on some of these albums, which of course was not one of his fortes, but since the vocals are relatively scarce and in retrospect really not that bad, that point of criticism id completely insignificant in view of the majestic content of the music contained herein. Every bass player today, consciously or subconsciously, directly or indirectly is influenced one way or another by what Stanley Clarke played over the years, and this Box Set is a great way to celebrate his talent. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

COREA, CLARKE & WHITE ~ FOREVER CONCORD 888072326279 (Barcode: 888072326279) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2011 This album documents the 2009 reunion of the legendary pioneering Fusion group Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, uniting again three of the band´s core members: pianist / composer / leader Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist and drummer Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist. Of the two CDs included, the first is a series of live recordings by the trio and the second is a series of new studio recordings by the trio with the support from guitarist Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist (the first RTF guitar player) and French violin virtuoso Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. Singer Chaka KhanFind albums by this artist adds vocals on two tracks. I don´t need to say more here, as it´s obvious that all RTF fans will grab this one instantly, especially since it is truly amazing. These Master musicians seem to be untouchable by time and their performances are simply divine. A must!

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

RETURN TO FOREVER ~ HYMN OF THE SEVENTH GALAXY POLYDOR 825336 (Barcode: 042282533623) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 1991 3rd album by the brilliant Jazz-Rock group Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist lead by the keyboard wizard & magician - Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist. Corea`s outstanding career in the experimental jazz genre took a sudden turn when he formed Return to Forever, which was a model for a whole generation of Fusion groups. The guitar on this album is played by Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist, one of the unsung guitar heros, and the fantastic rhythm section consists of Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist on bass and Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist on drums. A must!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ FUSION FOR MILES: A BITCHIN` BREW MASCOT 7166 (Barcode: 8712725716624) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is the 3rd project in the series of Fusion tributes, conceived, produced and arranged by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist. This time he is paying tribute to the Big Boss himself, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist. Ten compositions by Miles Davis are given a modern fusion treatment, each featuring a different guitarist. The inspiration comes of course from the electric jazz period of Miles, around Bitches BrewFind albums with this title, which of course featured John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist – the same man who was paid a tribute by Richman’s previous project. The rhythm section this time consists of Vinnie CalaiutaFind albums by this artist – drums, Alphonso JohnsonFind albums by this artist – bass and Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist – organ. Ex- Miles Davis saxophonist Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist provides the link to the original music and the featured guitarists include Mike SternFind albums by this artist, Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist, Pat MartinoFind albums by this artist, Bireli LagreneFind albums by this artist, etc. “Conventional” lovers of Miles Davis might find this treatment a bit bold, but fusion fans will definitely enjoy every minute of this.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend