Mike Stern "Give And Take"

Mike Stern "Give And Take"

album cover

Mike Stern
Give And Take
The Story
As one of the leaders of modern jazz/rock guitar, two-time Grammy nominee Mike Stern never slows down in his drive to crank out blistering solos and pretty, reverb-laced ballads. On "Give And Take", one of Stern's most well rounded albums, the guitarist mixes some of his best new compositions with a few of the most challenging standards in the repertoire. Along with familiar bandmates Michael Brecker, Don Alias, Jack DeJohnette and John Patitucci, Stern is in top form on this purer jazz outing, which features fewer rock tendencies than we're accustomed to from the guitarist. The inclusion of the standards "I Love You", "Giant Steps" and "Oleo" show Stern's ability to add his touch to these perennial tests of musical agility. Stern also displays chops-a-plenty on the new tunes "Hook Up" and "One Liners." But it's swingers like "Jones Street," "Lumpy," and "That's What You Think" that give this album its depth. Great performances are turned in by all, especially drummer DeJohnette, who keeps up with Stern every step of the way. "Give And Take" is a must-have for any guitar fan.
The Music
06:18 I Love You Instrumental
07:01 Hook Up Instrumental
05:39 Everything Changes Instrumental
08:16 One Liners Instrumental
07:31 Jones Street Instrumental
03:13 Lumpy Instrumental
05:02 Rooms Instrumental
06:41 That's What You Think Instrumental
05:07 Giant Steps Instrumental
03:02 Who Knows Instrumental
05:33 Oleo Instrumental
The Artists
Mike Stern Guitar (All Tracks)
John Patitucci Acoustic Bass (All Tracks)
Jack DeJohnette Drums (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 & 10)
Don Alias Percussion (Tracks 6 & 7, 10 & 11)
Michael Brecker Tenor Saxophone (Track 8)
Gil Goldstein Piano (Tracks 6 & 7)
James Farber Engineering, Mixing
Matthew "Boomer" Lamonica Engineering
Tom Schick Engineering Assistance
John Reigart Engineering Assistance
Andrew Page Engineering Assistance
Dan Swope Engineering Assistance
Yves Beauvais A&R
Greg Calbi Mastering
David Burrell Production Coordination, Management
Robin Tomchin Production Coordination, Management
Lynn Kowalewski Art Direction, Design
Jean Roy Photography
Recorded at Sear Sound, New York, NY.

Mixed at Sony Music Studios, New York, NY.

Mastered at Masterdisk, New York, NY.