The first pairing between crossover jazz icons keyboardist Jeff Lorber and guitarist Mike Stern, 2019's Eleven is an engaging fusion album that balances each musician's distinct musical personality. While both artists got their start in the late 1970s playing a hybrid of jazz and electric rock, they each moved in slightly different directions while coming into their own in the '80s. As the leader of the Jeff Lorber Fusion, Lorber helped to define the sound of groove-oriented contemporary jazz and R&B. Conversely, Stern ...
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The first pairing between crossover jazz icons keyboardist Jeff Lorber and guitarist Mike Stern, 2019's Eleven is an engaging fusion album that balances each musician's distinct musical personality. While both artists got their start in the late 1970s playing a hybrid of jazz and electric rock, they each moved in slightly different directions while coming into their own in the '80s. As the leader of the Jeff Lorber Fusion, Lorber helped to define the sound of groove-oriented contemporary jazz and R&B. Conversely, Stern built upon his early years as a member of Miles Davis' ensembles, mixing post-bop and blues as one of the top virtuoso jazz guitarists of his generation. Together, they bring all of their decades-long experience to bear on Eleven playing a handful of original songs. Joining them is producer and longtime Yellow Jackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, as well as drummer Dave Weckl, guitarist Leni Stern, drummer Gary Novak, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and others. There are also nicely done horn parts peppered throughout by Ned Mann. What's particularly interesting on Eleven is that you can pick out how Lorber and Stern have adapted their distinctive styles for each tune. The opening "Righteous" is a breezy Lorber number centered on a hooky acoustic piano and guitar melody. Conversely, "Jones St." is a dark-toned blues-groover culled from Stern's 1997 album Give and Take. They split the difference on Lorber's "Rhumba Pagan," a driving modal piece with a funk underpinning that also features Stern's wordless vocal improvs. Equally compelling are cuts like the kinetic electro-bop of "Ha Ha Hotel" and the soulful ballad "Tell Me." Eleven is an inspired match-up that lives up to the work of both Lorber and Stern's expansive careers. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi
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