The Message

Another fantastic offering by the Stanley Clarke Band and fortunately they are part of the EFG London Jazz Festival in November

great return to old sounds

Good product

This album is immaculately produced but ultimately shapeless stuff, nowhere near the character of his early and mid-period stuff. Not essential...

I was deeply unimpressed with the new SC band when I saw them at last year's EFG Jazz festival. The drummer too loud and self indulgent (he knocked over a cynbal stand to playing to hard!), the tabalji was too prominent; the only one to emerge with grace was the pianist. SC himself taking too much of backseat. I appreciate its SC's (laudable) philosphy to bring on new talant, even to the point that he stands in the background on his album cover, but after all people paid to see HIM not the sidemen. After that, I approached this album with some trepidation, but was on the whole pleasantly surprised.Its not at the heady heights of his classic earlier records, but there is good playing throughout, and wider sonic palette on display than some might expect. The acoustic numbers are particularly engagiing. There are some less successful tunes (the synthetic grooves on "Enzo's theme" are a horrible 1990s smooth jazz throwback, the rap on "To Be Alive" is trite at best and the 2 minute spoken intro to "Combat Continuum" is simply embarrassing guff), but overall it has its moments and is far more rewarding listening experience than the live show.As orher revirewers have pointed ou, not essential by any means, but if this is your bag, its entertaining enough and has some outstanding moments.

45 years after his album debut, Stanley Clarke shows he is still unapproachable on both the electric and acoustic, wielding a vision of fusion and funk, breakbeats and bass-interpreted cello suites backed by a young versatile band.

Well produced forgettable music I agree with other reviews

A brilliant album from a master bass player & jazz musician.