Record Reviews

MILES DAVIS ~ RUBBERBAND RHINO 603497850785 (Barcode: 603497850785) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1985 - 1986 Released: 2019 This is an album by iconic American Jazz trumpeter / composer Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, recorded in late 1985 / early 1986, following Davis’ departure from ColumbiaFind albums on this label and new contract with Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, which was supposed to release the album at the time, but scrapped it, releasing the legendary “TutuFind albums with this title” a year later. As such, the album was often referred to as “the lost Miles Davis album”, until its release thirty-four years later, although some of the material was used on the last Davis’ album “Doo-BopFind albums with this title”. The album presents eleven tracks and features various studio musicians and singers, some of which are co-credited as authors of the music, in addition to Jazz musicians appearing on some tracks, like guitarist Mike SternFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Adam HolzmanFind albums by this artist and others. The album cover features one of Miles Davis’ paintings. The music has very little to do with conventional / traditional Jazz per se, and marks Davis’ interest in Funk, Soul and Rap. The overall result is an amalgam of various Pop trends, spiced up by Davis’ incredible (as always) trumpet playing on top. Warner Bros. decision to scrap the album was completely justified at the time, as releasing the album would have damaged Miles’ Jazz reputation, surely in the eyes of his followers, which were not prepared for such radical change in style and sound. “Tutu” offered a much milder and more Jazz oriented alternative and opened the way to the “new” Miles Davis, and the albums that followed created a new image, which was embraced in time by most of his followers. Additionally, the album suffers from some production / sound problems, which were solved on those later albums. Overall, the album emphasizes the pioneering spirit of Miles Davis and his vision, which was always way ahead of the music scene, as in this case. His trumpet playing is as Godly as ever and most of the music here reflects perfectly the ever-evolving path he threaded, often quite alone. The album definitely deserves to be a part of the definitive Miles Davis collection!

Updated: 12/03/2022Posted: 12/03/2022

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MILES DAVIS ~ THAT`S WHAT HAPPENED 1982-1985: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.7 COLUMBIA 194398638522 (Barcode: 194398638522) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1982 - 1985 Released: 2022 This is the 7th installment of the “Bootleg Series recordings by American trumpeter / composer / bandleader / visionary Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. It presents previously unreleased material by Davis, captured during the period following his return to recording and performing after a five years long hiatus (1975-1980). It follows the previous installment in the series, which was released in 2018 and offers 3 CDs of studio and live material. CD1 presents material recorded during the “Star PeopleFind albums with this title” sessions in late 1982 and early 1983, with saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, trombonist J.J. JohnsonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike SternFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist. Additionally, two tracks are from the “DecoyFind albums with this title” sessions from 1983, with guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist, drum programing by Robert Irving IIIFind albums by this artist and Cinelu. CD2 presents material recorded during the “You`re Under ArrestFind albums with this title” sessions between January 1984 and January 1985, with saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, Scofield or John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Irving (on keyboards), Jones, Foster or Vince Wilburn, Jr.Find albums by this artist on drums and percussionist Steve ThorntonFind albums by this artist. CD3 presents a live recording from July 7, 1983 captured at the Montreal Jazz Festival, with Scofield, Evans, Jones, Cinelu and Foster. The music is all by Davis, except for the interpretation of a Cindy LauperFind albums by this artist song, and illustrates the transition period between the decades of recording for Columbia, with the last three albums on that label, and the explosive career of the “new” Miles Davis following his signing with Warner Bros.Find albums on this label and the release of “TutuFind albums with this title”, and the last years of his life (1986-1991). Overall, as usual with any archival material by Miles Davis, the music is absolutely Godly, stressing again his unshaken position as the greatest Jazz musician of all time. Although the music does not reveal any surprising elements, it affirms his status, and for every Davis’ follower on this planet is absolutely essential.

Updated: 31/12/2024Posted: 26/10/2022

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MIKE STERN ~ JIGSAW WOUNDED BIRD 2027 (Barcode: 664140202726) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1989 Released: 2007 4th album (3rd on Atlantic) by American guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist, who has been one of the most prominent figures in the Jazz and Fusion fields for the last three decades. His virtuoso performances and excellent writing are a source of musical joy and his consistently superb standards serve as a model, followed by generations of young guitarist around the world. On this album Stern continues the path established by its predecessors, presenting a set of his excellent compositions performed by a superb group of musicians, which includes saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff AndrewsFind albums by this artist, drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist and guest musicians (including Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist and Dennis ChambersFind albums by this artist). As usual, the compositions move between atmospheric ballads to up-tempo energetic excursions, performed with finesse and passion. This is classic Fusion and Stern´s guitar playing is simply overwhelmingly excellent, with great flow, emotion and technical virtuosity. A must for any Fusion enthusiast!

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MIKE STERN ~ ODDS OR EVENS WOUNDED BIRD 2297 (Barcode: 664140229723) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1991 Released: 2007 5th album (4th on Atlantic) by American guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist, who has been one of the most prominent figures in the Jazz and Fusion fields for the last three decades. His virtuoso performances and excellent writing are a source of musical joy and his consistently superb standards serve as a model, followed by generations of young guitarist around the world. On this album Stern continues the path established by its predecessors, presenting a set of his excellent compositions performed by a superb group of musicians, which includes saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassist Anthony JacksonFind albums by this artist, drummer Dennis ChambersFind albums by this artist and guest musicians. As usual, the compositions move between atmospheric ballads to up-tempo energetic excursions, performed with finesse and passion. This is classic Fusion and Stern´s guitar playing is simply overwhelmingly excellent, with great flow, emotion and technical virtuosity. A must for any Fusion enthusiast!

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MIKE STERN ~ TIME IN PLACE WOUNDED BIRD 1840 (Barcode: 664140184022) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1988 Released: 2007 3rd album (2nd on Atlantic) by American guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist, who has been one of the most prominent figures in the Jazz and Fusion fields for the last three decades. His virtuoso performances and excellent writing are a source of musical joy and his consistently superb standards serve as a model, followed by generations of young guitarist around the world. On this album Stern continues the path established by its predecessor, presenting a set of his excellent compositions performed by a superb group of musicians, which includes saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff AndrewsFind albums by this artist, drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist and guest musicians (including Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist). As usual, the compositions move between atmospheric ballads to up-tempo energetic excursions, performed with finesse and passion. This is classic Fusion and Stern´s guitar playing is simply overwhelmingly excellent, with great flow, emotion and technical virtuosity. A must for any Fusion enthusiast!

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MIKE STERN ~ UPSIDE DOWNSIDE WOUNDED BIRD 1656 (Barcode: 664140165625) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1986 Released: 2007 American guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist has been one of the most prominent figures in the Jazz and Fusion fields for the last three decades. His virtuoso performances and excellent writing are a source of musical joy and his consistently superb standards serve as a model, followed by generations of young guitarist around the world. Stern first came to the attention of the music lovers in the mid 1970s as the lead guitarist for the then current lineup of Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist. Later on he joined drummer Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist and played on several of his exceptional Fusion albums, finally to be featured in the Miles DavisFind albums by this artist comeback ensemble in 1981. After two years with Miles, Stern let to join Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist and again participate in some revolutionary Fusion recordings, only to rejoin Miles in 1995 for another year. That year marked Stern´s first release as a leader, with his album "NeeshFind albums with this title" scoring enthusiastic reviews, but gaining little public attention as it was released on a small obscure label. In 1986 Stern signed with AtlanticFind albums on this label, subsequently releasing 10 excellent albums on the label until he left in 2001. This album is the Mike Stern´s 1st release on Atlantic, which remains to this day as one of the greatest classic Fusion albums of all times. With the help of keyboardist Mitch FormanFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark EganFind albums by this artist, drummer Dave WecklFind albums by this artist and several guest musicians (including Jaco Pastorius), Stern lies down a model for modern Fusion, with great melodies, superb guitar lead lines and rhythmic versatility. Constantly moving between atmospheric ballads and soaring neck-breaking races, there is not one dull moment on this album and it lost absolutely nothing of its initial impact. This is an absolute must for every Fusion enthusiast as well as guitar freak on earth. A must!

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