Voices

Mike Stern

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 4, 2001)
• Original Release Date: September 4, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B00005NOXA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #158,480 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hard-core jazz-guitar heads may label Voices as Stern's "world music album," but he doesn't come off as just another musician jumping on the international-rhythms bandwagon. As the title suggests, the nine-track disc is actually a collection of conversations that Stern has with various vocalists, including the exciting Cameroonian singer and bassist Richard Bona. Most of the singing is done in the wordless vocal style, with Stern swooping and swirling in and around the singers, in musical dialogues built on the solid compositional grounds that Stern always constructs for his records. Bona is featured on the first two songs, "One World" and "The River," the latter of which the singer wrote a lyric for in his native tongue, while Elizabeth Kontomanou and Phillip Hamilton perform on the others. Kontomanou is particularly effective on two deliberate and simmering ballads, "Slow Change" and "What Might Have Been," both of which are less influenced by world music than the three great tracks where the singers work in harmony together with Stern's guitar. "Wishing Well," "Spirit," and "Leni's Smile" are all uplifting pieces that display the best of the theme of this album. The hottest track may be the last; "Way Out East" is an exploration of jazz-fusion at its finest, featuring the rhythms of India. Saxophonist Michael Brecker makes a searing guest shot on the tune. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soothing Music!, October 25, 2001

By	deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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 25, 2003

By	Paul (Michigan) - See all my reviews

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 18, 2002

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

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.