Dave Stryker Eight Track Christmas

Dave Stryker
Eight Track Christmas
Strikezone Records

Dave Stryker's Eight Track series of recordings has been straight-ahead jazz comfort food of a high level. Here, guitarist Stryker is joined by vibraphonist Stefon Harris, organist Jared Gold, and drummer McClenty Hunter. On one track of this 10-track CD of Christmas favorites, Steve Nelson replaces Harris on the closing track "O Tannenbaum.".

Like the previous albums, the performances are delightful renditions of familiar songs that are performed with spirit, humor, and imagination. Harris' at times shimmering vibes complements Strykers, fleet lean lines and solo note runs with Gold providing a greasy organ foundation and Hunter pushing the song along crisply. The performances are both melodic and inventive, and the interplay is marvelous. In addition to well-known carols such as "Greensleeves" and "We Three Kings," songs performed include Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas," to John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (The War Is Over)," and "Blue Christmas."

"This Christmas" opens this splendid recording with some dazzling playing followed by "Greensleeves," with Stryker's solo ingeniously working over the changes with Hunter's shimmering cymbals bring the tune to a close. An imaginative rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," is pushed along by Hunter's funk groove. The funk groove also is present on a vibrant "Soulful Frosty," Steve Nelson's mash-up of "Soulful Strut" with "Frosty the Snow Man." There is an alluring, reflective interpretation of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here," with an enchanting vibes solo. "Sleigh Ride" is an exhilarating romp with Gold's dazzling organ followed by Stryker's scintillating fretwork. Elvis' "Blues Christmas" is given a well-played bluesy interpretation although the tempo drags a bit.

"Eight Track Christmas" is another wonderfully played chapter in Dave Stryker's series. Mixing in familiar material with his arrangements and his superb band, Dave Stryker has a holiday recording with several performances that will be enjoyed year-round.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "O Tannenbaum."

Dave Stryker Eight Track III

Dave Stryker
Eight Track III
StrykeZone

This CD is the third edition of guitarist Dave Stryker's s reimagining of classic pop tunes from the ‘70s with his working trio plus vibes. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, who told Stryker he needed to complete the trilogy, joins Stryker, organist Jared Gold, and drummer McClenty Hunter on these nine tracks, five of which also have congas and percussion from Mayra Casales. Harris was on the first of these recordings with Steve Nelson being on the second.

Stryker suggests playing these classic melodies is a great way to connect with people and bring more folks into the music. This may be easy to listen to, but that stems as much from this familiarity. Listening to the ensemble and ensemble on the marvelous rendering of Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic," or the Temptations' hit "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," one gets melodious performances with fresh, imaginative solos. The groove is swinging at a nice measured pace.

Stevie Wonder's "Too High" opens with Stryker's sparkling guitar with a deft touch and thoughtfully constructed solo followed by Harris' effervescent vibes and then Gold's greasy B-3. Then there is The Carpenter's ballad, "We've Only Just Begun," with deliberate, spare playing by Stryker and Harris adding to the preciousness of this ballad performance that is beautifully played at a slow tempo. In contrast, the group plays Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love With You," at a brisker tempo, with Gold superb here. Roy Ayres' "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" is a bright feature for Harris' vibes, while Stryker and company perform a strong, blues-infused rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Joy Inside My Tears," that builds with smoldering intensity leading to its conclusion.

The music here is as entertaining, engaging and substantial as the two earlier volumes and serves as a solid conclusion to the "Eight Track" series if this is indeed the final set of the series.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the May-June 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 384). Here is a recent video of them performing "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."

The title of guitarist Dave Stryker’s new recording, Eight Track (Strikezone Records) refers to the music of the 70s when 8 track tape players were in vogue. In his notes, Stryker observed that this was “a time when there was a lot of great pop music going on as well as jazz.” In addressing this material, his trio of organist Jared Gold and drummer McClenty Hunter is augmented by vibraphonist Stefon Harris.

Songs with great melodies and that evoke a great time is what Stryker sought and among the songs interpreted here are The Spinner’s I’ll Be Around; Curtis Mayfield’s Pusherman/Superfly; Glen Campbell’s Wichita Linesman; The Fifth Dimension’s Aquarius; The Association’s Never My Love; and Pink Floyd’s Bread Money. Stryker and Harris are the dominant solo voices on the delightful, straightforward performances o with Gold and Harris helping swing these performances. The interplay between Stryker and Harris is marvelous and they both make these instruments sing with their lyricism and deft, imaginative soloing.

The augmentation of an organ trio with a vibraphonist may not be frequent occurrence, but Stefan Harris’ contributions to Dave Stryker’s trio help make Eight Track such a entertaining listening experience.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a little video on the making of Eight Track.