Emerging

Sam Stryke | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 2002)
• Original Release Date: May 18, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razz Records
• ASIN: B000068COI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,172 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Sam Stryke's second album features an organic blend of acoustic and vintage electric instruments. While the sound centers around Sam Stryke on piano, many of the tracks include a full rhythm section as well as strings and horns. The result is an instrumental album that is reminiscent of MTV’s "Unplugged" series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars groovy jazz rock, June 6, 2004

By 

Chicago Fan "Chicago Fan" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emerging (Audio CD)

Anyone familiar with Sam Stryke's first album, "In the Wind" (Atlantic Records), knows that he has a talent for evocative instrumental music, whether it is the sultry "Summer Night," the testosterone-injected "Race," or the often-requested "Winter"--I've been a fan since the early 90s. In "Emerging," Sam's sound is familiar, but it has evolved into something more organic. The notable exceptions are a Wurlitzer electric piano and electric guitar, but the point is not so much that they are not acoustic as that they are not synthesizers or samplers. Even the violins are played by real players, something that is becoming increasingly rare.

When I try to define this album by musical genre, I end up caught between new age or adult contemporary and smooth jazz. Some of the tunes, like Sam's first album, do seem resonant with new age/ac like the title track "Emerging" and "Unraveled," and others seem to fit with smooth jazz like "You and Me" and "While I Wonder." But others, like "Words You Meant to Say" with its Santana-like guitar melody played by Sandy Torano or the rich "Brown Butterfly" with Sam on the vintage Wurlitzer piano sound more like alternative rock without a singer. A friend says "Lullaby" is his favorite, but my favorites are the dark jazzy "Not For Me to Know," "Words You Meant to Say" and "Brown Butterfly." In any case, Sam's music has a sweet melancholia, and I think this is what invites people to listen in an introspective mood.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Debut, December 4, 2002

By 

S. Ellis "drummerman727" (Overland Park, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Emerging (Audio CD)

For those of you who enjoy Jim Brickman, you will love Sam Stryke. This album covers a range of moods, all grounded in Sam's excellence as a pianist. I highly recommend this album to anyone who likes to sit back, alone or with a loved one, and let the music take them away.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely music, November 18, 2010

By 

Karmen F. Thomassy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Emerging (Audio CD)

I just got my Sam Stryke Emerging cd and love it. I am not an expert at all about music, I only know if I like something or not. I feel this music in my heart and it is so nice to listen to while cooking dinner and relaxing with my family.