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I have described some of guitarist Dave Stryker's recordings as "straight-ahead jazz comfort food of a high level." This new release adds Walter Smith III's tenor sax to his organ group of organist Jared Gold and drummer McClenty Hunter. Mayra Casales adds percussion to three of the ten selections. There are four originals from Stryker and one from Gold, along with five interpretations of songs from the likes of Cole Porter, Leon Russell, and Marvin Gaye.
"Tough," a driving blues-flavored number, opens this album with scintillating solos. Stryker is first with his soulful, straight-ahead playing and well-crafted solo. Walter Smith III's tenor sax firs in like a well-tailored suit. He has a robust tone and swagger in his attack like Stryker's former boss Stanley Turrentine. Gold is perhaps overlooked among the organists playing today, but he gets the hot sauce going on this selection. The temperature cools a tad on with the relaxed Latin groove of "El Camino," Smith solos with plenty of gusto here. Then there is the late evening blues "Dreamsong," with fleet, nifty guitar, and big-toned saxophone.
The relaxed swing of Cole Porter's "Everything I Love" showcases Smith's romanticism, while Gold's "Rush Hour" is a spirited burner with some fiery tenor sax and organ. Leon Russell's "Superstar" may be best known from the Carpenters' recording. Stryker and company deliver a delicately structured performance. The title track was composed in memory of the educator and composer David Baker. Casales provides rhythmic accents to a scintillating performance.
There is also a bluesy shuffle, "Trouble (No. 2)," that Stryker's old boss, Stanley Turrentine, recorded. This song partially evokes the Little Willie John classic "Fever" and finds the group at their soulful, groovy best. It caps another first-rate recording from Stryker and company.
I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is an interview with Dave Stryker.
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