Record Reviews
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  | BEN SIDRAN ~ DYLAN DIFFERENT
BONSAI 091101 (Barcode: 794881938421) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion
Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009
This is a superb album by American vocalist / keyboardist / songwriter Ben SidranFind albums by this artist, recorded in France with mostly European Jazz musicians, including French bassist Marcello GiulianiFind albums by this artist, Swiss drummer Alberto MalloFind albums by this artist, French guitarist Rodolphe BurgerFind albums by this artist, American trumpeter Michael LeonhartFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Bob MalachFind albums by this artist and various guests. As title suggests, it presents twelve songs by American singer / poet / songwriter Bob DylanFind albums by this artist. A companion album of the same material was recorded live and released as “Dylan Different Live In ParisFind albums with this title” a year later.
Although Sidran preserved Dylan’s lyrics, his interpretations of the songs take many liberties with the melodies, tempi and rhythms, often making the songs almost unrecognizable. The result is absolutely brilliant and the Jazzy arrangements, which characterize most of Sidran’s work, are a true masterpiece. His keyboard work is also exceptional and combined with his idiosyncratic vocals present an irresistible combination of talent, intelligence and aesthetics. I have been a faithful and enthusiastic follower of his work since the early 1970s and he never failed me over time. My favorite period of his work is his output on the Go JazzFind albums on this label label in the 1990s. Since the early 2000s he’s been releasing albums on his own label NardisFind albums on this label.
Overall, this is a double treat, both for lovers of Dylan’s work and the incredible figure of Sidran, who keeps reinventing himself now in the sixth decade of his career. Lovers of Jazz-Pop Fusion should be absolutely delighted!
| | Updated: 27/01/2024Posted: 27/01/2024 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIKE STERN ~ ALL OVER THE PLACE
HEADS UP 33186 ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2011 - 2012 Released: 2012
Some musicians simply can´t go wrong, and guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist is certainly one of them. Decades of superb performances, composing and recording albums produced an incredible volume of music, which is always first rate and stays fresh, vibrant and eternally uplifting. This, his 17th album as a leader, is another of those wonderful albums that are simply perfect in what they are. It includes eleven new Stern original compositions, performed by an incredible all star band and guest artists, which reads like the who´s who of American Jazz and Fusion.
In time Stern managed to work out a formula, which works perfectly. His compositions combine great melodies with catchy licks and funky groove, but maintain incredibly high aesthetic standard and intelligent arrangements. The level of musicianship and stellar performances make the entire package irresistible. Stern´s Fusion is always an amalgam of the good old Blues roots with modern electric Funk and of course deep respect for the Jazz tradition.
The list of the performers on this album is really very long, so here are just a few of the better known names: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Kenny GarrettFind albums by this artist and Bob MalachFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassists Anthony JacksonFind albums by this artist, Will LeeFind albums by this artist and Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, drummers Dave WecklFind albums by this artist and Al FosterFind albums by this artist and many others. His wife, guitarist Leni SternFind albums by this artist, also makes a rare guest appearance.
Fusion enthusiasts and Stern fans alike need absolutely no encouragement to grab this gem immediately. If anybody on this planet is still unfamiliar with his music, perhaps now is the time to remedy the situation. This album smokes!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIKE STERN ~ BETWEEN THE LINES
WOUNDED BIRD 2835 (Barcode: 664140283527) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1996 Released: 2007
8th album (7th 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 MalachFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff AndrewsFind albums by this artist, drummer Dave WecklFind 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!
| | | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIKE STERN ~ IS WHAT IT IS
WOUNDED BIRD 2571 (Barcode: 664140257122) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1994 Released: 2007
7th album (6th 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 saxophonists Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist and Bob MalachFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassist Will LeeFind albums by this artist and drummers Dennis ChambersFind albums by this artist and Ben PerowskyFind 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!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIROSLAV VITOUS ~ UNIVERSAL SYNCOPATIONS II
ECM 2013 (Barcode: 602517183575) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2004 - 2005 Released: 2007
This album, subtitled "Music for ensemble, orchestra and choir", is the second project by Czech virtuoso bassist / composer Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist recorded at the Universal Syncopation Studios in Italy, hence the title. However, the music is quite different from what the previous album offers, being much more contemporary Classical inclined, as well as using certain World Music elements, all pre-composed and arranged. The cast consists of nine musicians playing in defferent settings, with saxophonists Bob MintzerFind albums by this artist, Gary CampbellFind albums by this artist and Bob MalachFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, bandoneón player Daniele Di BonaventuraFind albums by this artist, singer Vesna Vasko-CaceresFind albums by this artist, drummers Gerald CleaverFind albums by this artist and Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist and Vitous on bass. Serious music lovers will find this very interesting for sure, and I recommend some intense listening here, but all well rewarded. Warmly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
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