Blue Soul
Strikezone, 2020
8/10
Dave Stryker has been quite prolific lately, and here he’s aligned with the WDR Big Band and Bob Mintzer where his unparalleled guitar prowess unfolds alongside big band sounds after a week rehearsing in Germany with the ensemble.
“Trouble Man”, a Marvin Gaye tune, starts the listen with intricate guitar from Stryker as Billy Test’s organ glides well with the bright percussion, and “Aha”, a Mintzer original, continues the mood with strong percussion and a big band approach that’s full of spirited and melodic sounds.
In the middle, Stryker’s “Came To Believe” trims the volume down a bit, as Johan Horlen’s alto sax and Hans Dekker’s proficient drumming work together fluidly, and “Blues Strut”, also a Stryker tune, brings back Test on organ and Mintzer on tenor sax for the rhythmic and groove filled fun. The album standout, however, is “When Doves Cry”, where the song is rebuilt in a way that barely resembles the original as guitar acrobatics and dynamic big bang meticulousness yield fascinating results.
Closer to the end, “Wichita Lineman”, by Jimmy Webb, recruits Andy Hunter on trombone as Stryker’s stunning guitar work steals the show, and “Stan’s Shuffle”, a Stanley Turrentine classic, exits the listen with a bouncy quality that glows with stylish interaction between Stryker and Mintzer.
Yet another radiant record in Stryker’s impressive catalog that includes 30 albums, any and all fans of guitar music, jazz, blues and big band will find much to be enamored with here, as each track is fleshed out superbly.
Travels well with: Ernie Watts Quartet- Home Light; Vito Dieterle- Anemone