STANLEY CLARKE - Journey to Love (1975-2007) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

It has often been said that Stanley Clarke did for the fretted electric bass in the 1970s what fellow virtuoso Jaco Pastorius did for the fretless. For any aspiring jazz-rock bassist coming up in the time between Bitches Brew and Feels So Good, Stanley's innovative playing, which combined a distinctive slap-pop style with fluid finger-style work informed by his acoustic playing, was a required assignment. Although School Days, with its catchy signature song, is perhaps the most listened to of his albums, it is on Journey to Love, Clarke's second solo offering for Columbia, that his muse is most confidently and persuasively displayed. He is assisted in this worthy endeavor by a whole carload of world-class talent. Jeff Beck shows up for two songs, the title track and the appropriately-titled "Hello Jeff." His lead guitar is as expressive and unpredictable as ever, capable of bringing a smile to the face of the most jaded listener. Return to Forever bandmates Chick Corea and Lenny White also turn up, as well as fellow traveler Mahavishnu John McLaughlin. Not to be overlooked are the tremendous talents of keyboardist George Duke, drummer Steve Gadd, and guitarist David Sancious. The caliber of the musicians aside, Journey of Love is full of great tunes, great grooves, and absolutely amazing bass playing. Clarke moves from percussive slapping to almost guitaristic chording to full-speed improvising with bewildering ease. Make no mistake about it, this is one of the finest fusion albums to come out of the 1970s, and it is the single best demonstration of the skills and the sound that make Clarke one of the most important figures to ever pick up the instrument.  by Daniel Gioffre
Tracklist:
1 Silly Putty
Composed By – S. Clarke
2 Journey To Love
Composed By – Clarke
Lyrics By – Steinberg, Geltman
3 Hello Jeff
Composed By – S. Clarke
4 Song To John (Part I) (Dedicated To John Coltrane)
Composed By – C. Corea, S. Clarke
5 Song To John (Part II) (Dedicated To John Coltrane)
Composed By – C. Corea, S. Clarke
Concerto For Jazz / Rock Orchestra
6a Part I
Composed By – S. Clarke
6b Part II
Composed By – S. Clarke
6c Part III
Composed By – S. Clarke
6d Part IV
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Mahavishnu John McLaughlin (tracks: 4, 5)
Arranged By, Conductor – Stanley Clarke
Bass [Piccolo With Maestro Synthesizer] – Stanley Clarke (tracks: 6)
Brass – Allen Rubin, David Taylor, Earl Chapin, John Clark, Jon Faddis, Lewis M. Soloff, Peter Gordon, Thomas Malone, Wilmer Wise
Double Bass – Stanley Clarke (tracks: 4, 5)
Drums – Lenny White (tracks: 3)
Drums, Percussion – Steve Gadd (tracks: 1, 2, 6)
Electric Bass [Alembic], Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Handbell [Hand Bells], Tubular Bells, Organ, Gong, Vocals – Stanley Clarke (tracks: 1, 2, 6)
Electric Bass, Organ – Stanley Clarke (tracks: 3)
Electric Guitar – Jeff Beck (tracks: 3)
Electric Guitar, Guitar [12-string] – David Sancious (tracks: 1, 2, 6)
Piano – Chick Corea (tracks: 4, 5)
Producer – Ken Scott, Stanley Clarke
Synthesizer [Mini-moog, Arp Odyssey, Arp String Ensemble], Organ, Clavinet, Piano, Electric Piano, Bells, Vocals – George Duke (tracks: 1, 2, 6)