Stanley Clarke: If This Bass Could Only Talk (1988)

This was bassist Stanley Clarke's twelfth solo set, and one of his very few that would be recommended to jazz (as opposed to funk and R&B) listeners. On the instrumental set, Clarke's bass is featured in a wide variety of settings, including duets with tap dancer Gregory Hines and drummer John Robinson, a quartet with Wayne Shorter ("Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"), in a power trio with guitarist Allan Holdsworth and drummer Stewart Copeland, a piece with George Duke (on acoustic piano for a change) and soprano saxophonist George Howard, a quartet with the synthesizers of Steve Hunt, and "Funny How Time Flies," which has a colorful Freddie Hubbard trumpet solo. Throughout, Clarke's bass has plenty of solo space, and he shows how strong a player he can be when given decent material. - Scott Yanow (AMG)

Tracklist:
1  If This Bass Could Only Talk - Clarke 2:30
2  Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Mingus 6:25
3  I Wanna Play for You - Clarke 3:27
4  Stories to Tell - Clarke 3:47
5  Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) - Harris, Jackson, Lewis 6:05
6  Workin' Man - Clarke 6:26
7  Tradition - Clarke 7:11
8  Come Take My Hand - Clarke 4:09
9  Bassically Taps - Clarke 3:15
If This Bass Could Talk
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Stanley Clarke: 1 2 To the Bass (2003)

Stanley Clarke is without doubt a phenomenally talented bassist but has not done much to showcase this ability on his own recordings since the late '70s. You can chalk that up mostly to Clarke's propensity for trite, pop-oriented material that does little to illuminate his great technical command of the instrument or to engage the listener either melodically or lyrically. 1, 2, to the Bass is a step in the right direction with a more jazz-oriented feel and some interesting guest appearances. Rapper Q-Tip gets things off to a nice start on the title track which reimagines '90s hip-hop jazz as "quiet storm" R&B. "Simply Said" is reminiscent of Sting's more fusion-style originals with flutist Hubert Laws on a nice melodic hook. There is also an inspired reworking of the R&B classic "Where Is the Love" featuring Glenn Lewis and Amel Larrieux. Later on, if "Los Caballos (The Horses)" sounds a little too much like Madonna's "Borderline," and Oprah Winfrey's reading of Maya Angelou's "I Shall Not Be Moved" seems a bit out of place on an album that includes a song titled "Just Cruzin'," there's at least the "Rock It"-styled electro-disco-funk of "Bout the Bass." And don't forget the monstrous "freak" funk cover of "Hair" that almost redeems everything guitarist Joe Satriani has ever done. Perhaps not the exhilarating breakthrough one would hope, 1, 2, to the Bass is nonetheless a very exciting return to form. - AMG

Tracklist:
1  1, 2, To the Bass - Clarke, McKinley, Q-Tip (Fareed 5:55
2  Simply Said - Clarke 4:34
3  Where Is the Love? - MacDonald, Salter 4:06
4  Anna (She Loves the Good Life) - Clarke 5:01
5  Los Callabos (The Horses) - Clarke 4:41
6  Just Cruizin' (En Hommage - Wes Montgomery/George Benson/Pat Martino) - Clarke 4:26
7  'Bout the Bass - Clarke, McKinley 7:32
8  Hair - Graham 5:14
9  Touch - Clarke 6:04
10  All the Children/Todos los Ninos - Clarke 4:56
11  I Shall Not Be Moved - Angelou 6:37
12  Shanti Peace Paz - Clarke, Subramaniam 5:53
1 2 to the Bass
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George Duke: Illusions (1995)

George Duke is truly a music virtuoso. From his many contributions as a producer, arranger, writer, musician, and singer, the California native has laid down one grand effort after another. On this album, first and foremost, Duke utilizes this vast platform to express his musical passions. And in his own ingenious way, he voices his indiscreet discernment on the many virtues and vices of society. This set is eclectic, and at times, audaciously eccentric. Of the 13 selections, four are instrumentals and several are tinted with a sweet R&B coating. However, every number is seasoned with Duke's indelible jazzy melodies and interludes. The Synclavier-toting keyboardist is supported by an outstanding cast of performers, which includes the Emotions, Marvin Winans, Stanley Clarke, James Ingram, and Dianne Reeves, to name a few.

Tracklist:

1 Genesis - Duke 1:34

2 500 Miles to Go - Duke 5:00
3 411 - Duke 5:10
4 Love Can Be So Cold - Duke 5:42
5 Illusions Duke - 5:00
6 The Simple Things Duke - 5:16
7 Life and Times Duke - 6:07
8 Look What We Started Now Duke - 5:55
9 C'Est la Vie - Duke, Rudolph, Sembello 4:51
10 Buffalo Soldiers - Duke 4:50
11 Money - Duke 5:16
12 No Greater Love - Duke 4:46
13 So I'll Pretend - Duke 7:25
Illusions
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Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke & Lenny White: Forever (2011)

This is Japan only release. Disc 1 recorded live at Yoshi's in Oakland California, Jazz Alley in Seattle Washington and the Blue Note Tokyo. Disc 2 recorded at Mad Hatter studios except "500 Miles High", recorded at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Tracklist:
CD 1
01 On Green Dolphin Street
02 Waltz For Debby
03 Bud Powell
04 La Cancion de Sophia
05 Windows
06 Hackensack
07 No Mystery
08 Senor Mouse
CD 2
01 Captain Marvel
02 Senor Mouse
03 Crecent
04 Armando's Rhumba
05 Renaissance
06 High Wire The Aerialist
07 I Loves You Porgy
08 After The Cosmic Rain
09 Space Circus
10 500 Miles High
Personnel: Chick Corea (piano); Stanley Clarke (Bass); Lenny White (Drums).
Special Guests: Jean-Luc Ponty (violin), Chaka Khan (Vocals); Bill Connors (Guitar)
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