| The Stanley Clarke Band — The Message (June 29th, 2018) |
The Stanley Clarke Band — The Message (June 29th, 2018)
≡Φ 45 let po svém debutu, čtyřikrát oceněný Grammy®, které Stanley Clarke získal, přesto je stále tak nedosažitelný jak z elektrického, tak i akustického pohledu, z pohledu fusion a funk, breakbeatů a basso~interpretovaného violoncella a s malou pomocí přátel jako třeba rappera~beatboxera Douga E. Freshe a trumpetisty Marka Ishama. Podporovaný mladou všestrannou kapelou a sbírkou melodií napsaných uprostřed bouřlivého turné po Evropě, “The Message” je povznášející sílou, duchem a ohromujícím muzikantstvím. Jako basista má Clarke zvláštní afinitu k bubeníkům a “UP” bylo albem ocenění pro bubeníky. Podle jeho názoru jsou hudební vztahy v kapele mezi baskytaristou a bubeníkem ty nejdůležitější. Na “UP” přiváděl postupně tyto bubeníky: Stewart Copeland, Gerry Brown, John Robinson, Ronald Bruner, Jr. a Mike Mitchella, někteří jsou z těch jeho extra oblíbených. U posledně jmenovaného bych se zastavil: hraje na “Message” jako bubeník úplně sám. Zatímco většina aspiračních hráčů tráví hodiny práce na technikách rukou, studuje hudbu oblíbenců z nahrávek a videí a dívá se do ModernDrummer — všichni v naději, že jednoho dne obdrží flek u umělce své volby, jiní bubeníci přijmou méně formální přístup k dosažení pozitivních konečných výsledků. Rodák z Fort Worth, Texas, Mike Mitchell si podržel bubnovací židli u jazz~basového kouzelníka Stanleyho Clarka a jeho bandu od roku 2013. Jeho kariérní cesta, stejně jako jeho hudba, kterou dělá pod jménem “Blaque Dynamite”, nenásleduje žádnou formu. Říká tomu no formula.
≡Φ Legendární baskytarista Stanley Clarke považuje své současné album, za nejživější, nejrytmičtější a nejupřímnější, jaké kdy udělal — a považte, to říká po více než 40~ti sólových albech pod opaskem, což vypovídá o všem docela hodně. Slyším ho popáté nonstop, a myslím, že má pravdu. Clarkova signovaná basová virtuozita a technické přemýšlení jsou přítomny v celém těle i v celém tělese — takže je zřejmé, že se mu povedlo získat špičkové hráče pro ‘kolektivní album’: Beka Gochiashvili, Cameron Graves a Dominique Taplin na piano a syntetizátory. Salar Nader na tabla. Mike Mitchell na bicí a Michael Thompson na kytaru. Na albu má velký význam mluvené slovo (Sofia Clarke), zpěv a dechy. Opět je zde Mark Isham, pomáhá mu Ron Stout a Chuck Findley (French Horn, Trumpet). Celkově na albu participuje 37 lidí. Na rozdíl od převážně akustické basové práce na posledních několika albech, na “UP” byl téměř stejný podíl elektrických a akustických basů. “Můžu s těmito bubeníky hrát velmi snadno. Chápeme se navzájem rytmicky a emocionálně. Když chcete dělat hudbu, je to velmi přínosné. Bicí jsou velmi emotivním nástrojem a hnací silou kapely,” řekl Clarke. Na “Message” je více elektriky. Mám výhodu, že jsem na koncertě Stanley Clarka byl před 33 lety, takže můžu s čistým svědomím říct: nic neztratil, pořád je to génius.
≡Φ Gifted jazz bassist who established many contemporary techniques with his dazzling, rapid patterns and a highly influential slapping technique.
Born: June 30, 1951 in Philadelphia, PA
Location: Philadelphia, PA ~ Los Angeles, CA
Album release: June 29th, 2018
Recording Location: ICP Studio, Brussels, Belgium
Record Label: Mack Avenue Records
Duration: 44:50
Tracks:
01. And Ya Know We’re Missing You: Dedicated To Leon Ndugu Chancler, Darryl Brown, Al Jarreau, Tom Petty, Chuck Berry & My Good Friend Larry Coryell 1:59
02. After The Cosmic Rain/Dance Of The Planetary Prince 7:00
03. The Rugged Truth 3:32
04. Combat Continuum 5:05
05. The Message 2:48
06. Lost In A World 5:31
07. Alternative Facts 3:47
08. Bach Cello Suite 1 (prelude) 2:26
09. The Legend Of The Abbas And The Sacred Talisman 4:04
10. Enzo’s Theme 3:45
11. To Be Alive 4:53
Written by:
≡ Stanley Clarke / Doug E. Fresh 1
≡ Stanley Clarke 2, 5
≡ Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 3, 10
≡ Steve Blum / Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 4
≡ Sofia Clarke / Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Skyeler Kole / Mike Mitchell / Roxanne Seeman / Trevor Wesley 6
≡ Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 7
≡ Johann Sebastian Bach 8
≡ Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili 9
≡ Stanley Clarke / Doug E. Fresh / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 11
Credits:
≡ Johann Sebastian Bach Composer
≡ Dwayne Benjamin Trombone
≡ Steve Blum Composer, Vocals
≡ Gerry Brown Engineer, Mixing
≡ Bobby Campbell Engineer, Mixing
≡ Chris Clarke Vocals (Background)
≡ Sofia Clarke Composer, Spoken Word
≡ Stanley Clarke Arranger, Bass, Bass (Acoustic), Composer, Gr. Member, Producer, Soloist, Talk Box, Vocals
≡ Matt Dyson Assistant Engineer
≡ Maria Ehrenreich Producer
≡ Chuck Findley French Horn, Trumpet
≡ Doug E. Fresh Beat Box, Composer, Vocals
≡ Beka Gochiashvili Composer, Group Member, Piano, Synthesizer
≡ Cameron Graves Composer, Group Member, Soloist, Synthesizer
≡ Sharon Green Product Manager
≡ Atron Gregory Executive Producer
≡ Jonathan Hakakian Engineer, Overdub Engineer
≡ Mark Isham Soloist
≡ Skyeler Kole Composer, Vocals
≡ Pat Leonard Sound Design, Synthesizer
≡ George Madrid Assistant
≡ Mike Mitchell Composer, Drums, Electronic Drums, Group Member
≡ Salar Nader Tabla
≡ Raj Naik Creative Director, Design, Photography
≡ Kevin Peterson Mastering
≡ Al Pryor A&R
≡ Travis Rogers Engineer
≡ Roxanne Seeman Composer
≡ Ron Stout Trumpet
≡ Dominique Taplin Synthesizer
≡ Michael Thompson Guitar
≡ Gretchen Valade Executive Producer
≡ Will Wakefield Production Manager
≡ Doug Webb Flute, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Soloist
≡ Trevor Wesley Composer, Vocals
≡ Nachael West Assistant
≡ Karl Wingate Assistant Engineer
Description:
≡Φ≡ 45 years after his album debut, four~time Grammy® Award~winning bassist Stanley Clarke shows he is still unapproachable on both the electric and acoustic, wielding a vision of fusion and funk, breakbeats and bass~interpreted cello suites with a little help from friends like rapper/beatboxer Doug E. Fresh and trumpeter Mark Isham. Backed by a young versatile band and a collection of tunes written in the midst of a tumultuous tour of Europe, The Message (available June 29 via Mack Avenue Records) swells with an abundance of strength, soul and astounding musicianship. ≡Φ≡ Legendary bassist Stanley Clarke considers his upcoming Mack Avenue Records release, The Stanley Clarke Band’s “UP”, to be the most energetic, rhythmic and upbeat album that he has ever done — and with more than 40 solo albums under his belt, that’s saying quite a lot. Clarke’s signature bass virtuosity and technical acumen is present throughout, but the enjoyment he had in making this album is also apparent. ≡Φ≡ Unlike his predominantly acoustic bass work on the last few albums, UP is almost equal parts electric and acoustic bass.
AllMusic Review by Matt Collar; Score: ***½
≡Φ≡ The Stanley Clarke Band moniker goes back at least as far as 1985’s electro~funk~inflected Find Out!, and picked up in earnest with 2010’s eponymously titled The Stanley Clarke Band. The only real through~line, however, is virtuoso bass pioneer Clarke, who leads his ever~evolving bands through what are usually a stylistically varied set of songs that touch upon driving jazz~fusion, funky crossover jams, harmonically nuanced acoustic modal bop, and even forays into classical. It’s a cross~pollinated vibe he championed on 2014’s Up and one he returns to with conceptual gusto on 2018’s expansive The Message. Joining him are pianist Beka Gochiashvili (who previously played Up), keyboardist Cameron Graves, and drummer Mike Mitchell. Musically, each of these players are compelling in their own right, and make for a dynamic unit. While Clarke doesn’t completely grab on to one central theme here, the general tone of The Message is one of reaching for enlightenment in what often seems like a troubling, dystopian world. It’s a vibe that’s largely intimated in song titles like “The Rugged Truth” and “Alternative Facts,” both of which marry propulsively swinging jazz~rock rhythms with sparkling keyboard work. Elsewhere, tracks like the sprawling “After the Cosmic Rain/Dance of the Planetary Prince” and “Combat Continuum,” with its spoken~word narrative about a global resistance battle against an invader with “massive unknown technology,” evokes ‘70s prog rock conceits, just as surely as it allegorically implies more contemporary social and political concerns. Clarke also bookends his album with two hip~hop jazz pieces featuring rapper Doug E. Fresh, including a thrilling opening bass and beatbox homage dedicated to a handful of longtime Clarke associates who passed away while he was working on the album, including Al Jarreau, Larry Coryell, Tom Petty, and others. ≡Φ≡ Interestingly, the title track, while aesthetically in keeping with fusion~influenced tone of the album, finds Clarke stepping away from his bandmates and collaborating on a brightly atmospheric, new age~sounding ballad with synth and sound designer Pat Leonard. Elsewhere, he dips into soulful pop balladry on “Lost in a World” with vocalists Trevor Wesley and Skyeler Kole, displays his adept, classical chops with a lyrical rendition of the “Bach Cello Suite 1 (Prelude),” and draws upon his work with pianist Chick Corea for the far~eyed acoustic jazz ballad “The Legend of Abbas and the Sacred Talisman.” Ultimately, while the conceptual “message” of The Message can often seem a bit unfocused, Clarke’s music remains as crisp and inventive as ever.
≡Φ≡ https://www.allmusic.com/ /
Doug Webb: http://www.dougwebb.us/
Also:
Chris Mosey, June 26, 2018 / Score: ****
≡Φ≡ https://www.allaboutjazz.com/stanley-clarke-band-the-message-stanley-clarke-mack-avenue-records-review-by-chris-mosey.php
Label: https://www.mackavenue.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrstanleyclarke
Website: http://stanleyclarke.com/ /
Mike Mitchell: https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/july-2018-stanley-clarkes-mike-mitchell/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialstanleyclarke/
| The Stanley Clarke Band — The Message (June 29th, 2018) |
≡Φ 45 let po svém debutu, čtyřikrát oceněný Grammy®, které Stanley Clarke získal, přesto je stále tak nedosažitelný jak z elektrického, tak i akustického pohledu, z pohledu fusion a funk, breakbeatů a basso~interpretovaného violoncella a s malou pomocí přátel jako třeba rappera~beatboxera Douga E. Freshe a trumpetisty Marka Ishama. Podporovaný mladou všestrannou kapelou a sbírkou melodií napsaných uprostřed bouřlivého turné po Evropě, “The Message” je povznášející sílou, duchem a ohromujícím muzikantstvím. Jako basista má Clarke zvláštní afinitu k bubeníkům a “UP” bylo albem ocenění pro bubeníky. Podle jeho názoru jsou hudební vztahy v kapele mezi baskytaristou a bubeníkem ty nejdůležitější. Na “UP” přiváděl postupně tyto bubeníky: Stewart Copeland, Gerry Brown, John Robinson, Ronald Bruner, Jr. a Mike Mitchella, někteří jsou z těch jeho extra oblíbených. U posledně jmenovaného bych se zastavil: hraje na “Message” jako bubeník úplně sám. Zatímco většina aspiračních hráčů tráví hodiny práce na technikách rukou, studuje hudbu oblíbenců z nahrávek a videí a dívá se do ModernDrummer — všichni v naději, že jednoho dne obdrží flek u umělce své volby, jiní bubeníci přijmou méně formální přístup k dosažení pozitivních konečných výsledků. Rodák z Fort Worth, Texas, Mike Mitchell si podržel bubnovací židli u jazz~basového kouzelníka Stanleyho Clarka a jeho bandu od roku 2013. Jeho kariérní cesta, stejně jako jeho hudba, kterou dělá pod jménem “Blaque Dynamite”, nenásleduje žádnou formu. Říká tomu no formula.
≡Φ Legendární baskytarista Stanley Clarke považuje své současné album, za nejživější, nejrytmičtější a nejupřímnější, jaké kdy udělal — a považte, to říká po více než 40~ti sólových albech pod opaskem, což vypovídá o všem docela hodně. Slyším ho popáté nonstop, a myslím, že má pravdu. Clarkova signovaná basová virtuozita a technické přemýšlení jsou přítomny v celém těle i v celém tělese — takže je zřejmé, že se mu povedlo získat špičkové hráče pro ‘kolektivní album’: Beka Gochiashvili, Cameron Graves a Dominique Taplin na piano a syntetizátory. Salar Nader na tabla. Mike Mitchell na bicí a Michael Thompson na kytaru. Na albu má velký význam mluvené slovo (Sofia Clarke), zpěv a dechy. Opět je zde Mark Isham, pomáhá mu Ron Stout a Chuck Findley (French Horn, Trumpet). Celkově na albu participuje 37 lidí. Na rozdíl od převážně akustické basové práce na posledních několika albech, na “UP” byl téměř stejný podíl elektrických a akustických basů. “Můžu s těmito bubeníky hrát velmi snadno. Chápeme se navzájem rytmicky a emocionálně. Když chcete dělat hudbu, je to velmi přínosné. Bicí jsou velmi emotivním nástrojem a hnací silou kapely,” řekl Clarke. Na “Message” je více elektriky. Mám výhodu, že jsem na koncertě Stanley Clarka byl před 33 lety, takže můžu s čistým svědomím říct: nic neztratil, pořád je to génius.
≡Φ Gifted jazz bassist who established many contemporary techniques with his dazzling, rapid patterns and a highly influential slapping technique.
Born: June 30, 1951 in Philadelphia, PA
Location: Philadelphia, PA ~ Los Angeles, CA
Album release: June 29th, 2018
Recording Location: ICP Studio, Brussels, Belgium
Record Label: Mack Avenue Records
Duration: 44:50
Tracks:
01. And Ya Know We’re Missing You: Dedicated To Leon Ndugu Chancler, Darryl Brown, Al Jarreau, Tom Petty, Chuck Berry & My Good Friend Larry Coryell 1:59
02. After The Cosmic Rain/Dance Of The Planetary Prince 7:00
03. The Rugged Truth 3:32
04. Combat Continuum 5:05
05. The Message 2:48
06. Lost In A World 5:31
07. Alternative Facts 3:47
08. Bach Cello Suite 1 (prelude) 2:26
09. The Legend Of The Abbas And The Sacred Talisman 4:04
10. Enzo’s Theme 3:45
11. To Be Alive 4:53
Written by:
≡ Stanley Clarke / Doug E. Fresh 1
≡ Stanley Clarke 2, 5
≡ Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 3, 10
≡ Steve Blum / Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 4
≡ Sofia Clarke / Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Skyeler Kole / Mike Mitchell / Roxanne Seeman / Trevor Wesley 6
≡ Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 7
≡ Johann Sebastian Bach 8
≡ Stanley Clarke / Beka Gochiashvili 9
≡ Stanley Clarke / Doug E. Fresh / Cameron Graves / Mike Mitchell 11
Credits:
≡ Johann Sebastian Bach Composer
≡ Dwayne Benjamin Trombone
≡ Steve Blum Composer, Vocals
≡ Gerry Brown Engineer, Mixing
≡ Bobby Campbell Engineer, Mixing
≡ Chris Clarke Vocals (Background)
≡ Sofia Clarke Composer, Spoken Word
≡ Stanley Clarke Arranger, Bass, Bass (Acoustic), Composer, Gr. Member, Producer, Soloist, Talk Box, Vocals
≡ Matt Dyson Assistant Engineer
≡ Maria Ehrenreich Producer
≡ Chuck Findley French Horn, Trumpet
≡ Doug E. Fresh Beat Box, Composer, Vocals
≡ Beka Gochiashvili Composer, Group Member, Piano, Synthesizer
≡ Cameron Graves Composer, Group Member, Soloist, Synthesizer
≡ Sharon Green Product Manager
≡ Atron Gregory Executive Producer
≡ Jonathan Hakakian Engineer, Overdub Engineer
≡ Mark Isham Soloist
≡ Skyeler Kole Composer, Vocals
≡ Pat Leonard Sound Design, Synthesizer
≡ George Madrid Assistant
≡ Mike Mitchell Composer, Drums, Electronic Drums, Group Member
≡ Salar Nader Tabla
≡ Raj Naik Creative Director, Design, Photography
≡ Kevin Peterson Mastering
≡ Al Pryor A&R
≡ Travis Rogers Engineer
≡ Roxanne Seeman Composer
≡ Ron Stout Trumpet
≡ Dominique Taplin Synthesizer
≡ Michael Thompson Guitar
≡ Gretchen Valade Executive Producer
≡ Will Wakefield Production Manager
≡ Doug Webb Flute, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Soloist
≡ Trevor Wesley Composer, Vocals
≡ Nachael West Assistant
≡ Karl Wingate Assistant Engineer
Description:
≡Φ≡ 45 years after his album debut, four~time Grammy® Award~winning bassist Stanley Clarke shows he is still unapproachable on both the electric and acoustic, wielding a vision of fusion and funk, breakbeats and bass~interpreted cello suites with a little help from friends like rapper/beatboxer Doug E. Fresh and trumpeter Mark Isham. Backed by a young versatile band and a collection of tunes written in the midst of a tumultuous tour of Europe, The Message (available June 29 via Mack Avenue Records) swells with an abundance of strength, soul and astounding musicianship. ≡Φ≡ Legendary bassist Stanley Clarke considers his upcoming Mack Avenue Records release, The Stanley Clarke Band’s “UP”, to be the most energetic, rhythmic and upbeat album that he has ever done — and with more than 40 solo albums under his belt, that’s saying quite a lot. Clarke’s signature bass virtuosity and technical acumen is present throughout, but the enjoyment he had in making this album is also apparent. ≡Φ≡ Unlike his predominantly acoustic bass work on the last few albums, UP is almost equal parts electric and acoustic bass.
AllMusic Review by Matt Collar; Score: ***½
≡Φ≡ The Stanley Clarke Band moniker goes back at least as far as 1985’s electro~funk~inflected Find Out!, and picked up in earnest with 2010’s eponymously titled The Stanley Clarke Band. The only real through~line, however, is virtuoso bass pioneer Clarke, who leads his ever~evolving bands through what are usually a stylistically varied set of songs that touch upon driving jazz~fusion, funky crossover jams, harmonically nuanced acoustic modal bop, and even forays into classical. It’s a cross~pollinated vibe he championed on 2014’s Up and one he returns to with conceptual gusto on 2018’s expansive The Message. Joining him are pianist Beka Gochiashvili (who previously played Up), keyboardist Cameron Graves, and drummer Mike Mitchell. Musically, each of these players are compelling in their own right, and make for a dynamic unit. While Clarke doesn’t completely grab on to one central theme here, the general tone of The Message is one of reaching for enlightenment in what often seems like a troubling, dystopian world. It’s a vibe that’s largely intimated in song titles like “The Rugged Truth” and “Alternative Facts,” both of which marry propulsively swinging jazz~rock rhythms with sparkling keyboard work. Elsewhere, tracks like the sprawling “After the Cosmic Rain/Dance of the Planetary Prince” and “Combat Continuum,” with its spoken~word narrative about a global resistance battle against an invader with “massive unknown technology,” evokes ‘70s prog rock conceits, just as surely as it allegorically implies more contemporary social and political concerns. Clarke also bookends his album with two hip~hop jazz pieces featuring rapper Doug E. Fresh, including a thrilling opening bass and beatbox homage dedicated to a handful of longtime Clarke associates who passed away while he was working on the album, including Al Jarreau, Larry Coryell, Tom Petty, and others. ≡Φ≡ Interestingly, the title track, while aesthetically in keeping with fusion~influenced tone of the album, finds Clarke stepping away from his bandmates and collaborating on a brightly atmospheric, new age~sounding ballad with synth and sound designer Pat Leonard. Elsewhere, he dips into soulful pop balladry on “Lost in a World” with vocalists Trevor Wesley and Skyeler Kole, displays his adept, classical chops with a lyrical rendition of the “Bach Cello Suite 1 (Prelude),” and draws upon his work with pianist Chick Corea for the far~eyed acoustic jazz ballad “The Legend of Abbas and the Sacred Talisman.” Ultimately, while the conceptual “message” of The Message can often seem a bit unfocused, Clarke’s music remains as crisp and inventive as ever.
≡Φ≡ https://www.allmusic.com/ /
Doug Webb: http://www.dougwebb.us/
Also:
Chris Mosey, June 26, 2018 / Score: ****
≡Φ≡ https://www.allaboutjazz.com/stanley-clarke-band-the-message-stanley-clarke-mack-avenue-records-review-by-chris-mosey.php
Label: https://www.mackavenue.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrstanleyclarke
Website: http://stanleyclarke.com/ /
Mike Mitchell: https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/july-2018-stanley-clarkes-mike-mitchell/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialstanleyclarke/