The Stryker/Slagle Band Expanded Routes Anthony Wilson Frogtown

The Stryker/Slagle
Band Expanded
Routes
STRIKEZONE 8813
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Guitarist Dave Stryker and alto saxophonist Steve Slagle have co-led
one of the most consistently stimulating jazz groups of the past decade.
While the duo has worked together
in different settings since the late 1980s, the Stryker/Slagle Band has been
recording regularly since 2003.
For Routes, a quartet is augmented by three horns and keyboardist
Bill O’Connell. Slagle’s arrangements give the music the feel of a big
band, particularly when the horns are riffing behind one of the co-leaders. While the sidemen have occasional solos, the bulk of the individual
improvisations are taken by Stryker and Slagle.
The group performs four originals apiece by the co-leaders, plus a
Charles Mingus song. “City Of Angels” begins the program with a medium-tempo jazz waltz. “Nothin’ Wrong With It,” with its joyful theme,
inspires one of Slagle’s better soprano solos and an adventurous spot by
Stryker. The use of a rhythmic riff and Billy Drewes’ bass clarinet in the
ensembles clearly enthuse the musicians.
Routes is modern straightahead jazz that succeeds on all levels.
—Scott Yanow
Routes: City Of Angels; Nothin’ Wrong With It; Self-Portrait In Three Colors; Routes; Ft. Greene Scene;
Great Plains; Extensity; Gardena; Lickety Split Lounge. (58:17)
Personnel: Dave Stryker, guitar; Steve Slagle, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone (2), flute (3, 6);
John Clark, French horn; Billy Drewes, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet (2, 3); Clark Gayton, trombone,
tuba (3, 6); Bill O’Connell, piano, Fender Rhodes (2, 5, 6); Gerald Cannon, bass; McClenty Hunter, drums.
Ordering info: davestryker.com
Anthony Wilson
Frogtown
GOAT HILL 004
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The average listener may know
Wilson for his work in Diana Krall’s
band, but he’s also made seven solo
albums, four with his nine-piece
band and three with a trio. He also
plays, when commitments allow,
with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra,
his late father’s big band. His desire to explore new avenues of expression
led him to start writing songs with lyrics. Frogtown is his first album as a
singer/songwriter, and as promised, he’s found ways to arrange his tunes
that will confound expectations.
Mike Elizondo plays a tango-like bass line on “She Won’t Look Back,”
a muted blues that features pianist Patrick Warren scattering flurries of
arpeggios to support Wilson’s spectral vocal. Saxophonist Charles Lloyd
and Wilson exchange phrases on the extended improvisation that opens
“Your Footprints,” a haunting tune with a cryptic lyric and hints of gospel
music. “Our Affair” is a torchy country song, which finds Wilson sliding
on guitar while Petra Haden’s violin yearns in the background. Wilson
sings with a pleasing, low-key rumble that suits the poignant lyric.
—j. poet
Frogtown: She Won’t Look Back; Frogtown; Your Footprints; Occhi Di Bambola; Silver And Flint; Our
Affair, The Cares Of A Family Man; Mopeds; Arcadia; The Geranium; Shabby Bird; I Saw It Through The
Skylight; Downtown Abbey. (59:31)
Personnel: Anthony Wilson, guitar, vocals; Petra Haden, violin, bird whistle; Mike Elizondo, bass,
synth bass; Patrick Warren, piano, organ, pump organ, autoharp, keyboards, samples; Jim Keltner,
drums, percussion (1, 2, 5, 9,10 ,12); Matt Chamberlain, drums, percussion (3–8, 11); Charles Lloyd, tenor
saxophone (3); Jesse Harris, harmonica (9); Josh Nelson, piano (5, 10); David Rosenboom, trumpet; Bob
Reynolds, tenor saxophone; Adam Schroeder, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet.
Ordering info: anthonywilsonmusic.com
MAY 2016 DOWNBEAT 53