This album is actually credited to Dave Stryker with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band. After several appearances as a guest with Dave Stryker’s Organ Trio, saxophonist Bob Mintzer (who serves as the principal conductor for Cologne, Germany’s WDR Big Band) had the idea to arrange some of Dave’s music to feature him with the ensemble. Bob thought Stryker’s takes on ‘70s pop tunes from his ‘Eight Track’ series, as well as his originals would be a good fit for the dynamic big band. In March of 2019, Dave was invited to Germany for a week of rehearsing, recording, and performing with the WDR Big Band, and this is the result. Only three of the nine songs are Stryker originals, and interestingly two of the others are by Marvin Gaye, but they have all been brought together with the same live and energy thanks to the arrangement skills of Mintzer. Although Stryker has lead melody roles on each song, he is not the only soloist by far and it is good to see all the soloists indicated against each number.

This certainly feels like a big band who have a strong lead guitarist, as opposed to a guitarist with backing musicians, and for the most part it works very well, with some outstanding brasswork. However, I do feel it is somewhat spoiled in the middle with an arrangement of Prince’s “When Dove Cries” which just does not work as well as it should. When I listen to the original (which I bought on cassette single when it came out!) it does not seem nearly as repetitive as this does, and I am sure that is because this feels more structured and less fluid. “Wichita Lineman”, which follows, is far more in keeping with the original with loads of warmth in the guitar and wonderful support from the rest of the band, which makes the former standout ever more. But overall, this is a soft jazz album which is well arranged and performed, relaxing and immediate.

Rating: 7/10

Links:
https://www.davestryker.com/
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