As We Are
Strikeforce, 2022
10/10
The size of Dave Stryker’s body of work is just as impressive as the quality of it, and here the inimitable guitarist offers up his 34th record as leader, and he’s got an all star cast with him on what he calls his ‘dream project’.
“Overture” starts the listen with Sara Caswell’s quivering violin, as the string friendly opener segues into the warm, jazz-rock of “Lanes”, where Stryker’s fluid guitar is complemented by Brian Blade’s precise drumming.
Further on, “Hope” moves with a calm, glowing spirit as John Patitucci’s strategic bass helps set the dreamy mood alongside Julian Shore’s flowing piano, while “Saudade” is a lush and very mature display of jazz and blues meeting at a very sophisticated junction.
“As We Were” arrives near the end, and burns slow with gorgeous bass plucking, brushed drumming, and, of course, Stryker’s agile guitar lines amid the sublime beauty, and “Soul Friend” exits the listen with guitar and strings interacting with an incredible precision that clearly much thought went into.
Stryker sure does take advantage of not only Caswell, but also strings from Monica K. Davis (violin), Benni von Gutzeit (viola) and Marika Hughes (cello), and it makes for another exceptional record where his soulful, harmonic exploration is nothing short of brilliant.
Travels well with: Jared Gold- Reemergence; Dave Stryker- Baker’s Circle