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Mike Stern's latest album These Times does not seem as strong to me as his previous outing. Don't get me wrong; the disc is certainly competent enough, with rock solid performances both by Stern and his supporting musicians (Will Lee, Victor Wooten, Dennis Chambers, Bela Fleck and Richard Bona just to name some of the cast).
The disc opens up with a late 70's blues/funk melody over a syncopated Latin-ish rhythm. The two follow up songs promenently features Bona for a mellow, together feel (and Fleck's banjo work on I Know You adds a graceful counterpoint to both Bona's singing and Stern's guitar work). The album wanders from a bluesy feel, to world influences, to bebop and again. It's almost a sampler of sorts, held together by Stern's cohesive playing style.
Posted by Casper at January 28, 2004 01:06 PM