MIKE STERN - Upside Downside (1988) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mike Stern's debut as a leader mostly features the high-powered guitarist heading a sextet also including tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Mitch Forman, bassist Mark Egan, drummer Dave Weckl and percussionist Dr. Gibbs. Altoist David Sanborn makes a guest appearance on "Goodbye Again," while "Mood Swings" features the quartet of Stern, Berg, electric bassist Jaco Pastorius (with whom Stern had worked in the Word of Mouth Orchestra) and drummer Steve Jordan. The guitarist wrote or co-wrote all six selections, which generally have viable chord changes. The playing mostly fits into the genre of funky fusion, with Stern's passionate guitar heard throughout in fine form. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Upside Downside    5:41
Mike Stern
2    Little Shoes    5:33
Mike Stern
3    Goodbye Again    6:33
Mike Stern
4    Mood Swings    6:01
Mike Stern
5    After You    5:25
Mike Stern
6    Scuffle    6:11
Mike Stern
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – David Sanborn (tracks: 3)
Arranged By – Jeff Andrews (tracks: 6)
Bass – Jaco Pastorius (tracks: 4), Jeff Andrews (tracks: 2), Mark Egan (tracks: 1 to 3, 5)
Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6), Steve Jordan (tracks: 4)
Guitar, Composed, Arranged By – Mike Stern
Percussion – Dr. Gibbs (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
Piano, Synthesizer – Mitch Forman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
Producer – Hiram Bullock
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Berg

MIKE STERN - Time in Place (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Mike Stern's music has often been a little difficult to classify, featuring strong improvisations, the sound and power of rock, and elements of funk, R&B and sometimes pop. For his second recording as a leader, Stern is joined by either Bob Berg or Michael Brecker on tenor, keyboardist Jim Beard, electric bassist Jeff Andrews, drummer Peter Erskine and percussionist Don Alias; Don Grolnick sits in on organ during "No Notice." The music (seven Stern originals) ranges from the rhythmic to the more sophisticated and features plenty of the leader's high-powered guitar. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Gossip    5:59
Mike Stern
2    Time In Place    6:49
Mike Stern
3    Before You Go    5:31
Mike Stern
4    No Notice    6:40
Mike Stern
5    After All    7:36
Mike Stern
6    Four Shades    5:04
Mike Stern
7    Chromazone    7:42
Mike Stern
Credits:
Drums – Peter Erskine
Electric Bass, Fretless Bass – Jeff Andrews
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Organ – Don Grolnick (tracks: 4)
Percussion – Don Alias
Producer – Steve Khan
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker (tracks: 1, 7)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Bob Berg

MIKE STERN - Jigsaw (1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a fairly typical Mike Stern fusion date, featuring his rocking guitar on seven of his pieces. Stern is joined by his usual sidemen -- tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Jim Beard, electric bassist Jeff Andrews, either Peter Erskine or Dennis Chambers on drums and percussionist Manolo Badrena -- and plays with plenty of fire, yet a good amount of restraint. Michael Brecker is a guest on "Chief," jamming on his fairly anonymous-sounding EWI. A decent effort, easily recommended to fans of the more adventurous rock guitarists. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1. Another Way Around 6:25
Mike Stern
2. Loose Ends 6:11
Mike Stern
3. To Let You Know 6:30
Mike Stern
4. Jigsaw 7:06
Mike Stern
5. Chief  7:45
Mike Stern
6. Rhyme or Reason 5:46
Mike Stern
7. Kwirk 6:58
Mike Stern
Credits :
Mike Stern – Guitar
Jim Beard – Keyboard, Synthesizer
Peter Erskine – Drums (except tracks 1, 4, 5)
Dennis Chambers – Drums (tracks 1, 4, 5)
Manolo Badrena – Bongo, Shaker
Don Alias – Percussion
Jeff Andrews – Bass
Bob Berg – Saxophone
Michael Brecker – Saxophone

MIKE STERN - Odds or Evens (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a powerhouse date of high-powered fusion, mixing together the sound of rock with the musicianship and improvising of jazz. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Jim Beard and a rhythm section, guitarist Stern jams through a set of originals that serve as jumping-off devices for fairly long solos. The musicians really stretch themselves within the idiom and even the quieter numbers are full of intensity. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Keys    7:28
Mike Stern
2    D.C.    7:40
Mike Stern
3    Common Ground    6:05
Mike Stern
4    Odds Or Evens    7:08
Mike Stern
5    Seven Thirty    6:26
Mike Stern
6    If You Say So    7:36
Mike Stern
7    Sandbox 3:59
Leni Stern
8    Walkie Talkie 6:57
Mike Stern
Credits:
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 2, 4, 6), Lincoln Goines (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 8)
Drums – Ben Perowsky (tracks: 1, 5, 8), Dennis Chambers (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6)
Percussion – Don Alias
Piano, Synthesizer, Producer – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Berg

MILES DAVIS - You're Under Arrest (1985) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Miles Davis's final Columbia recording (other than Aura which was released several years later) includes his straightforward ballad interpretations of Cyndy Lauper's "Time After Time" and the Michael Jackson-associated "Human Nature," two songs he would play in most of his concerts for the remainder of his life. Other tunes (including "You're Under Arrest," "One Phone Call" and "Ms. Morrisine") were quickly discarded. In addition to Davis (who had regained his earlier chops) tenor-saxophonist Bob Berg, guitarist John Scofield and guest John McLaughlin get in a few decent solos on this competent but not overly memorable effort. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 One Phone Call / Street Scenes 4:36
Performer [Handcuffs] – James Prindiville
Voice [French Policeman] – Sting
Voice [Police Voices, Davis Voices] – Miles Davis
Voice [Polish] – Marek Olko
Voice [Spanish] – Steve Thornton
2 Human Nature 4:30
3 Intro: MD 1 / Something's On Your Mind / MD 2 7:18
4 Ms. Morrisine 4:56
5 Katia Prelude 0:42
Synthesizer [Obxa] – Miles Davis
6 Katia 7:39
Synthesizer [Obxa] – Miles Davis
7 Time After Time 3:39
8 You're Under Arrest 6:13
Organ, Clavinet – Robert Irving III
9 Medley: Jean Pierre / You're Under Arrest / Then There Were None 3:27
Celesta – Robert Irving III
Credits:
Bass – Darryl Jones
Drums – Al Foster (tracks: 1, 7 to 9), Vincent Wilburn, Jr. (tracks: 2 to 6)
Guitar – John McLaughlin (tracks: 4 to 6), John Scofield (tracks: 1 to 3, 7, 9)
Illustration – Miles Davis
Percussion – Steve Thornton
Producer – Miles Davis
Soprano Saxophone – Bob Berg (tracks: 1, 8, 9)
Synthesizer – Robert Irving III
Trumpet – Miles Davis

MILES DAVIS - Tutu (1986-2001) Deluxe Edition / 2CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The controversial but memorable Tutu is mostly a duet between Miles Davis and the many overdubbed instruments of producer Marcus Miller (although violinist Michal Urbaniak, percussionist Paulinho da Costa, and keyboardist George Duke are among the other musicians making brief apperaances). Certainly the results are not all that spontaneous, but Davis is in top form and some of the selections (most notably the title cut) are quite memorable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:

1-1 –Miles Davis Tutu 5:15

Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-2 –Miles Davis Tomaas 5:32
Written-By – Marcus Miller, Miles Davis
1-3 –Miles Davis Portia 6:18
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-4 –Miles Davis Splatch 4:45
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-5 –Miles Davis Backyard Ritual 4:49
Written-By – George Duke
1-6 –Miles Davis Perfect Way 4:32
Written-By – Gamson, Strohmeyer
1-7 –Miles Davis Don't Lose Your Mind 5:49

Written-By – Marcus Miller

1-8 –Miles Davis Full Nelson 5:05
Written-By – Marcus Miller
Live Performance From Nice Festival, France, Previously Unreleased
2-1 –Miles Davis Octet Opening Medley 15:11
('Theme From Jack Johnson' / 'Speak' / 'That's What Happened')
Written-By – John Scofield, Miles Davis
2-2 –Miles Davis Octet New Blues 5:23
Written-By – Miles Davis
2-3 –Miles Davis Octet Maze 10:15
Written-By – Erin Davis
2-4 –Miles Davis Octet Human Nature 9:01
Written-By – Bettis, Porcaro
2-5 –Miles Davis Octet Portia 7:56
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-6 –Miles Davis Octet Splatch 17:07
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-7 –Miles Davis Octet Time After Time 7:26
Written-By – Lauper, Hyman
2-8 –Miles Davis Octet Carnival 4:17
Written-By – Neil Larsen
Credits:
Arranged By – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-8)
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-5)
Design [Original] – Susan Welt
Drums – Vincent Wilburn, Jr. (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Drums, Percussion – Omar Hakim (tracks: 1-2)
Electric Bass – Felton Crews (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Electric Violin – Michal Urbaniak (tracks: 1-7)
Guitar – Robben Ford (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Instruments [All Other] – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1-1, 1-3 to 1-5), Steve Thornton (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Percussion [Additional] – Steve Reid (tracks: 1-4)
Programmed By [Synthesizer, Additional] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Saxophone – Bob Berg (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer – Adam Holzman (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8), Robert Irving III (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer [Additional] – Bernard Wright (tracks: 1-2, 1-7)
Synthesizer [Solo] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-4)
Trumpet – Miles Davis (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)

DIETER ILG - Summerhill (1991) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Bassist Dieter ILG is the nominal leader on this '91 session, but it is guitarist Mike Stern and tenor saxophonist Bob Berg who are in the forefront. ILG has a firm, solid tone, plays nice accompaniment and takes an occasional well-constructed solo, but is not the kind of dashing or virtuoso player who makes hearing unaccompanied bass something out of the ordinary. The title track ranks as the best musical workout and is the only one where the ensemble and individual sections are equally accomplished. Otherwise, you get either fine playing on humdrum writing or good arrangements and less than exemplary execution. by Ron Wynn

MIKE STERN - Standards (and Other Songs) (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Mike Stern, best-known for playing rock-oriented fusion and in more commercial settings, surprised many listeners by recording an album dominated by standards. Actually, there are three originals included among the 11 pieces, but Stern also digs into such songs as "Like Someone in Love," "Moment's Notice," Chick Corea's "Windows," and "Straight No Chaser." Among Stern's sidemen on this fairly straight-ahead but adventurous set are trumpeter Randy Brecker, Bob Berg on tenor, and keyboardist Gil Goldstein. This little-known release is well-worth acquiring.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Like Someone in Love 6:39
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
2 Source 1:48
Mike Stern
3 There Is No Greater Love 9:13
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
4 L Bird 5:48
Mike Stern
5 Moment's Notice 4:41
John Coltrane
6 Lost Time 6:46
Mike Stern
7 Windows 6:29
Chick Corea
8 Straight, No Chaser 5:26
Thelonious Monk
9 Peace 5:17
Horace Silver
10 Jean-Pierre 1:44
Miles Davis
11 Nardis 7:37
Miles Davis
Credits 
Acoustic Bass – Jay Anderson, Larry Grenadier (tracks: 6, 11) 
Drums – Al Foster, Ben Perowsky (tracks: 6, 11) 
Guitar – Mike Stern
Saxophone – Bob Berg
Trumpet – Randy Brecker