Record Reviews

MIKE STERN ~ BIG NEIGHBORHOOD HEADS UP 3157 (Barcode: 053361315726) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 Guitar virtuoso Mike SternFind albums by this artist already proved his talents in the last three decades, being not only as an incredibly talented player, but also as a composer, bandleader and recording artists. What I admire about this great musician is his ability to maintain an incredible consistency and dedication to keep up a highly artistic standard. With this, his 16th album as a leader, Stern does it again, again all odds. Full of excellent new compositions (all of them his own) and brilliant instrumental work, this album is also a melting pot of ideas and musical directions. Stern invited many of his peers to take part in the recording and the final list of participants reads like a who´s who of modern Fusion: guitarists Steve VaiFind albums by this artist and Eric JohnsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, drummers Dave WecklFind albums by this artist and Terri Lyne CarringtonFind albums by this artist and even the entire trio of Medeski, Martin & WoodFind albums by this artist – and this is only a partial list. In spite of the multitude of participants, the album presents a remarkable consistency and makes perfect sense by any standard. There´s really no point in explaining again and again how good this stuff is – simply listen to it and you´ll know. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant stuff!

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