Stanley Clarke: Live (1976-1977) (1991)

Stanley Clarke is simply the greatest bassist to have ever graced the earth with his presence. There are many other great ones (Manring, Wooten, Hamm, Jaco, etc.) but one thing that separates Stanley from the others is his compositional skills. The disc doesn't have a version of his suites but it captures all of the diversity that Stanley and his bandmates unleash during a show. The opener is "School Days". The form is the same as on the disc of the same name but live it is taken to another energy level. Ray Gomez lets loose and then Stanley defies the physical limitations that a person has. The speed and clarity is unreal. Then he cuts loose with some slap. The horn section gives this song even more power. More of Stanley's ability to bring out the funk are "Lopsy-Lu" and "Silly Putty". Anyone that plays bass should take notes on how the instrument should be played. The bass lines on these songs are two lessons in how to be funky. Stanley grooves on both tunes and the horn section is present again on "Silly Putty". "Lopsy Lu" finds Stanley exchanging fours with his bandmates. There is also an example of Clarke's acoustic grace on "Bass Folk Song". The piece is a duet with Stanley and his keyboardist. No one can play the upright like Stanley can. The same virtuosity that he displays on electric bass he has on an acoustic. The ability to play electric and acoustic with equal awe inspiration is another thing that separates Stanley from the rest. Also included on the disc are two RTF covers. "Dayride" features Jerry Brown on drums. "The Magician" is the other RTF tune and although the tune lacks Dimeola it is still phenomenal. No one has taken Jazz/Rock/ Funk/Fusion to greater heights than Stanley. His writing is a refection of his schooling and his Coltanesque sheets-of-sound bass technique is a revelation. The bottom line is this. If you are a bass player or you appreciate anyone that can take their instrument to unmatched heights then get this. It is the greatest one from the greatest one.

Tracklist

01. School Days

02. Lopsy Lu
03. Quiet Afternoon
04. Silly Putty
05. Dayride
06. Bass Folk Song No. 3
07. The Magician
08. Desert Song
09. Vulcan Princess
Live 1976-1977
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John McLaughlin and 4th Dimension: To The One (2010)

In 2007, guitar legend John McLaughlin formed a fresh new jazz fusion quartet called the 4th Dimension. This energetic group has served as McLaughlin's touring band ever since, and though they have released some material in various formats in the past, it's all been limited to strictly live recordings - until now. To The One (Abstract Logix) finally captures the raw, fiery sound of the 4th Dimension in the studio, in a compact, singular statement that features both stunning performances, and inspired compositions.

Joining McLaughlin in the 4th Dimension are Gary Husband on keyboards and drums, Mark Mondesir on drums, and the band's newest member - Etienne M'Bappe on bass. The strength of this group is not only their ability to push and support McLaughlin; it's also the obvious chemistry they have, and the easy band interplay that results from that familiarity. That group dynamic is key when comparing To The One with McLaughlin's other recent work. Take, for example, McLaughlin's two previous studio releases - Floating Point (2008) and Industrial Zen (2006). These were both excellent recordings featuring fantastic musicians and music, but they were really project albums, not band albums. To The One is a band album. There's a unified sound and focus to this disc that stems directly from the fact that you're hearing stage-honed musicians playing together, as a band, in the studio, with few overdubs.

Tracklist:
01. Discovery
02. Special Beings
03. The Fine Line
04. Lost And Found
05. Recovery
06. To The One
Personnel:
John McLaughlin: Guitar
Etienne Mbappe: Bass
Gary Husband: Keyboards,Drums
Mark Mondesir: Drums
To The One
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