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Dave Stryker:
Blue Soul
| Label |
Strikezone Records 8820 |
| recorded |
March 2019 in Köln/Germany
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| online distribution |
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| Dave Stryker |
guitar |
| WDR Big Band |
c/ by Bob Mintzer |
| Bob Mintzer |
tenor sax |
| Wim Both |
trumpet |
| Rob Bruynen |
trumpet |
| Andy Haderer |
trumpet |
| Ruud Breuls |
trumpet |
| Ludwig Nuss |
trombone |
| Raphael Klemm |
trombone |
| Andy Hunter |
trombone |
| Mattis Cederberg |
bass trombone |
| Johan Horlen |
alto sax |
| Karolina Strassmayer |
alto sax |
| Olivier Peters |
tenor sax |
| Paul Heller |
tenor sax |
| Jens Neufang |
baritone sax |
| Billy Test |
piano, organ |
| John Goldsby |
bass |
| Hans Dekker |
drums |
01: Trouble Man
02: Aha
03: What's Going On
04: Came To Believe
05: Blues Strut
06: When Doves Cry
07: Wichita Lineman
08: Shadowboxing
09: Stan's Shuffle
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Bob Mintzer had an idea. The renowned tenor saxophonist, who serves as principal conductor
of Cologne, Germany's world-class WDR Big Band, had made several appearances as guest artist
with guitarist Dave Stryker's New York-based organ trio and was so impressed that he thought
it would be a good idea to re-orchestrate some of Stryker's music for big band and invite the
guitar maestro to return the favor by traveling to Germany and performing as guest artist with
the WDR ensemble, an offer that Stryker accepted without pause.
Was Mintzer's idea credible? In a word, yes-the evidence of which abounds on the superb album
Blue Soul, wherein Stryker, Mintzer and the WDR merge forces to brighten a trio of Stryker's
handsome themes and others by Marvin Gaye ("Trouble Man," "What's Going On"), Prince ("When Doves
Cry"), Jimmy Webb ("Wichita Lineman"), Stanley Turrentine ("Stan's Shuffle") and Mintzer's breezy
"Aha." Stryker solos adroitly on every track, Mintzer on "Aha," "Stan's Shuffle" and Stryker's
prancing "Blues Strut," while the WDR does its part to lend warmth and substance to every number.
Stryker's other compositions, the cantering "Came to Believe" and assertive "Shadowboxing," stand
out among the album's many pleasurable moments.
Stryker and organist Billy Test share blowing space on Gaye's earnest, blues-based "Trouble Man,"
which raises the curtain and paves the way for "Aha" and the second offering from Gaye, "What's
Going On," a carefree showpiece for Stryker, Test and alto Karolina StrassMayer. A second alto,
Johan Horlen, sparkles on "Came to Believe" before Stryker and Mintzer take charge on what is
arguably the album's piece de resistance, the bright and irrepressible "Blues Strut." Horlen and
drummer Hans Dekker undergird Stryker on the fast-paced "When Doves Cry," trombonist Andy Hunter
sparkles on "Wichita Lineman," Dekker and tenor Paul Heller on "Shadowboxing," after which Stryker
and Mintzer strike the ideal note on an exemplary codicil, the buoyant "Stan's Shuffle."
Mintzer's idea, as it turns out, was far better than good; it was brilliant. All hands are resolute
and standing firm, and Blue Soul is an appetizing entree that should command pride of place on any
big-band enthusiast's menu.
by Jack Bowers @ allaboutjazz.com
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