DAVE VALENTIN — Tropic Heat (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Flutist Dave Valentin's 16th album for GRP is one of his best. His regular group (a quartet with pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Lincoln Goines, and drummer Robbie Ameen) is augmented by two percussionists and an excellent seven-member horn section that consists of the reeds of Dick Oatts, Mario Rivera, and David Sanchez; trombonist Angel "Papo" Vasquez; and three trumpeters, including Charlie Sepulveda. All of the horns get their opportunities to solo and the result is a particularly strong Latin jazz session. Valentin continues to grow as a player and he cuts loose on several of these tracks.  Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1 My Favorite Things 4:40

Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers

Arranged By – Bill O'Connell

2 Sweet Lips 6:12

Bill O'Connell / Dave Valentin

3 Don Q 5:05

Arranged By – Bernd Schoenhart

Written-By – Bernd Schoenhart

4 Danzon for My Father 6:08

Arranged By – Oscar Hernandez

Written-By – Oscar Hernandez

5 Mr. Evil 4:54

Bill O'Connell 

6 Bello Amanecer 4:44

Tito Enriquez

Arranged By – Angel "Papo" Vasquez

7 Sam's Groove 6:13

Bill O'Connell

8 Tasty Mango 4:01  

Arranged By, Written-By – Angel "Papo" Vasquez

9 Sangria 5:48
Dave Valentin
Arranged By – Bill O'Connell, Dave Valentin
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Dick Oatts
Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Mario Rivera
Congas – Jerry Gonzalez
Congas, Percussion – Milton Cardona
Drums – Robby Ameen
Electric Bass – Lincoln Goines
Flute, Producer – Dave Valentin
Guitar – Bernd Schoenhart
Piano – Bill O'Connell
Tenor Saxophone – David Sanchez
Timbales, Percussion – Andreu Johnny Almendra
Trombone – Angel Papo Vazquez
Trumpet – Charlie Sepulveda, David "Piro" Rodríguez, Ray Vega

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. 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

MIKE STERN — Between the Lines (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Mike Stern does what he does very, very well. He has carved out a unique niche for himself among modern fusion guitarists, a vision that combines funk and R&B bass/drum grooves with skittish melodies often involving extended chord fragments. Stern's lead voice is one of the most distinctive in the genre as well, as his chorused and sometimes distorted tone is always prominently displayed. Stern is joined on this 1996 offering by frequent collaborator Bob Malach, a tenor player with a particular talent for laying screaming lines on top of smoking drum grooves as well as ably doubling and bringing to life Stern's often bookish and theoretical melodies. Completing the band are twin rhythm sections, consisting either of Dave Weckl and Jeff Andrews or Lincoln Goines and Dennis Chambers. Like many of Stern's recordings, the problems lie generally in the sameness of the arrangements and the relatively forgettable nature of some of these songs. Although they are all thoughtfully composed, they sometimes tend to run together a bit in the mind of the listener. Jim Beard's keyboard textures also could be done without, as they add a distracting sheen to the compositions. But there has always been this sort of tension in Stern's work between the obvious and the unexpected. Take, for example, "Lose the Suit," which features an extremely funky intro and a great Stern solo, as well as an extremely predictable bridge that almost sounds as if it could be the theme song to a long-running soap opera. Any lingering sense of treacle is dispelled once Stern kicks in the fuzz, however, and lays into the track. Not the best thing he's ever done, but quite good, and sure to please fans. Daniel Gioffre
Tracklist :
1.    Sunnyside    7:27
Mike Stern
2.    The Vine    6:27
Mike Stern
3.    Wing And A Prayer    6:37
Mike Stern
4.    Lose The Suit    8:43
Mike Stern
5.    You Never Know    7:13
Mike Stern
6.    Tell Me    6:01
Mike Stern
7.    With A Twist    6:37
Mike Stern
8.    True Enough    6:43
Mike Stern
9.    Pages    6:43
Mike Stern
10.    Bait Tone Blues    7:37
Mike Stern
Credits :
Bass – Jeff Andrews, Lincoln Goines (tracks: 6, 7)
Drums – Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers (tracks: 6, 7)
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards, Producer – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach

MIKE STERN — Play (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 Mike Stern is a preeminent guitarist for two key reasons: One, he can play all styles very well and with equal command; and two, he plays very well with all other players. He always shows great respect for those with whom he is playing and gives them each the time and space to develop their musical ideas. Stern displays these two qualities in abundance on Play. Several notable guests join Stern and his core band for this release. Guitarists John Scofield and Bill Frisell and drummer Dennis Chambers each team with Stern on several tracks. If you enjoy straight-ahead jazz, listen to Stern and Scofield on the title track, or mix in Bob Malach's tenor sax on "Outta Town." If you like your guitar music slightly more spacious and lyrical, try Stern and Frisell on the hypnotic "Blue Tone" or the pensive "All Heart." Finally, if you want to turn up the heat and move into some rock/funk-influenced fusion, then check out the groovy "Tipatina's," the bold rocker "Link," or the intensely funky "Big Kids." It is no surprise, based on his other work, that Chambers, in particular, gives the band a kick in the musical pants inspiring bassist Lincoln Goines to enjoy the ride. Play is an outstanding guitar album from the highly accomplished and incredibly versatile Mike Stern. It is highly recommended.  Brian Bartolini  
Tracklist :
1.    Play    7:15
 Mike Stern
2.    Small World    5:23
 Mike Stern
3.    Outta Town    6:09
 Mike Stern
4.    Blue Tone    6:43
 Mike Stern
5.    Tipatina's    6:35
 Mike Stern
6.    All Heart    6:22
 Mike Stern
7.    Frizz    5:41
 Mike Stern
8.    Link    6:50
 Mike Stern
9.    Goin' Under    4:10
 Mike Stern
10.    Big Kids    7:29
 Mike Stern
Credits :
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums [Pearl], Cymbal [Zildjian] – Dennis Chambers (tracks: 5, 8, 9)
Drums, Cymbal [Zildjian] – Ben Perowsky (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7, 10)
Guitar – Bill Frisell (tracks: 4, 6, 7, 10), John Scofield (tracks: 1 to 3)
Guitar [Yamaha] – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)