STANLEY CLARKE

This really is a "can't miss" lineup with bassist Stanley Clarke enlisting the help of his former bandmate from RETURN TO FOREVER Bill Connors (he played on "Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy") on lead guitar, the great Tony Williams on drums and Jan Hammer on keyboards. Wow ! This can get pretty explosive at times which for me always brings MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA to mind, but there is quite a bit of variety here. Stanley thanks Chick Corea among others in the liner notes.

"Vulcan Princess" kicks in quickly and check out Williams as Connors starts to play over top. It then changes to a funky groove. Connors is back 2 1/2 minutes in. Nice. Keys a minute later then it kicks in MAHAVISHNU-like to end it. "Yesterday Princess" is the only track with vocals and it's quite mellow, but it's barely over 1 1/2 minutes in length. "Lopsy Lu" is funky with some nice bass early. It's fuller 2 minutes in. Guitar before 3 minutes then Hammer takes the lead. They take turns as the funky rhythm continues. Check out Williams after 5 1/2 minutes. "Power" opens with drums which are incredible as Tony solos for a minute. Synths swoosh in then the whole band. Check out Hammer after 2 minutes. Love the rhythm too. Connors proceeds to rip it up for over 3 minutes ! Impressive ! "Spanish Phases For Strings & Bass" opens with Clarke soloing on his bass until we get a change after 2 minutes as strings come in briefly. Back to solo bass as the contrasts continue. Check out the bass before 5 minutes ! "Life Suite" is the almost 14 minute closer. Acoustic guitar to open as keys and strings come in. It kicks in at 2 minutes to an uptempo pace. I love Williams' drum work. It settles 4 1/2 minutes in. More strings after 6 minutes with piano. A nice groove takes over after 7 1/2 minutes. Connors comes in tastefully as the sound builds. He's lighting it up 10 1/2 minutes in. Great sound ! Williams is so good 12 minutes in.

Easily 4 stars and yes, a lot of exclamation points.