| Jazz |
An album that revisits film music—hardly the first, and certainly not the last—but with Dave Stryker, an exceptional guitarist, composer, and arranger at the helm, it offers more than enough to captivate the listener. From the outset, one is drawn in, especially knowing that violinist Sara Caswell graces the first track with all the delicacy and subtlety for which she is renowned. By the fifth track, Stryker tackles the iconic theme of Shaft with irresistible flair, and the surprises keep coming. This album is nothing less than a succession of exquisite discoveries, each revealing Stryker’s meticulous selection of film scores. His approach to these pieces, infused with a masterful sense of stylistic reinterpretation, ensures that the listener can only marvel at the artistry on display.
Dave Stryker’s last five albums have all reached the top spot on the JazzWeek Radio charts. His latest offering, Prime, highlights his long-standing trio with Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter, fresh from opening for Steely Dan on tour. Meanwhile, As We Are brings together John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Julian Shore, and a string quartet led by Sara Caswell. To delve deeper into the man behind the music, consider this excerpt from his biography: Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Stryker moved to New York in 1980. After making a name for himself on the local scene, he joined organist Jack McDuff’s band from 1984 to 1985, performing regularly at Harlem’s Dude’s Lounge. It was there that he crossed paths with Stanley Turrentine, who invited him to join his quintet in 1986. Over the next decade, Stryker played alongside the jazz legend at the world’s most prestigious festivals, concert halls, and clubs, contributing to two of Turrentine’s albums, including Sidesteppin’, featuring one of Stryker’s original compositions.
Stryker has also performed with luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, and Eliane Elias, among others. Undoubtedly, these encounters on stage and in the studio have profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His previous album, Groove Street—which I discussed here last April [link to review]—already earned our enthusiastic praise. What is remarkable about Stryker is his ability to transcend musical genres, seamlessly moving within a single album from traditional jazz to jazz-funk, jazz fusion, and beyond, all with unwavering energy and artistic finesse.
Thus, any attempt to confine Dave Stryker to a single stylistic label would be futile. His style is first and foremost a reflection of the music he loves, likely nurtured over a lifetime. And let us admit, the string quartet led by Sara Caswell is a delightful surprise, arriving as splendidly as the decorations on a Christmas tree. One cannot help but feel that Stryker still has more surprises in store. His aesthetic vision, present in every album, is something I find particularly compelling.
Is this yet another “essential” album, you ask? Yes, indeed—but it’s for your own good.
For its boundless inventiveness, this album earns a well-deserved place in our “Essential Albums” category.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, December 31st 2024
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