Voices

Mike Stern | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 4, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B00005NOXA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,221 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #70 in Music > Jazz > Modern Postbebop
  • #73 in Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soothing Music!, October 24, 2001

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices (Audio CD)

Mike Stern's latest release is,......well, different. At least different than anything Stern has previously released. Different in the sense that Stern ventures out and incorporates some East Indian style vocals much in the same manner that Sting did on his release, "Brand New Day".

The vocals are nothing more than very simple phrases which are repeated throughout each tune like relaxing chants which harmonize pleasantly with the music. True to Stern's form, there are ample guitar riffs ("Slow Change" for example) and an outstanding supporting cast. Among the crew are Michael Brecker and Bob Franceschini who appear on sax and Vinnie Colaiuta who appears on drums.

At first blush, the new release will probably alienate some of Stern's hard core fans that have waited long and patiently for a new release, however, under the surface of the vocals there is plenty of great jazz music being played on this CD. Given a chance, the tunes will grow on you and have you humming along peacefully to the harmony.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vocals on "Voices", November 24, 2003

By 

Paul (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices (Audio CD)

Ok, crazy asses. Mike Stern is still a jazz guitarist. He's not the one doing the vocals. Its the bassist, who is simoultaneously ripping it up on the bass. The vocals are not words or lyrics, but may be called a different type of scat. I saw the "Mike Stern Group" in concert at the Aridium in Manhattan and it was the single most amazing experience of my life. Slow Change was the only song from this CD that they played, the rest were new ones. Almost all of the soloing, including the bassist/vocalist were impromptu. I have honestly never experienced anything like it in my life, watching these musicians groove like nobody can these days. I bought "Voices" and got it signed. Anyone who does not like this album has lost their groove. Most soulful, intricate, moving album I've ever heard.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change Is Good--That's What Jazz is All About, July 17, 2002

By 

"ericscho" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices (Audio CD)

Jazz is, by definition, about innovation, creativity, and change. Mike Stern moves in a new direction on this CD, and comes up with a masterpiece. He makes room for some beautiful African vocal harmonies, but the compositional structure is trademark Stern, with plenty of soaring guitar solos for longtime fans.

Previous reviews use the simplistic, dismissive "world music" tag to describe this CD. They miss the mark completely. It's amazing how self-styled jazz fans can be so stodgy and afraid of anything innovative or different. Jazz artists--at least the good ones--NEED to go in different directions, to not make the same CD over and over again.

This CD surprised me. I've seen Stern in concert many times, in large jazz clubs (Yoshi's, Oakland), medium jazz clubs (Catalina's, LA), and little dive bars (55 Bar, NYC), and his recent live performances have been stuck in time, playing tunes from "Play" (a great CD) over and over. Change was needed, and Stern outdid himself here. "Voices" is a great CD. Check it out.