• 5-CD SET

What this import collection does, quite simply, is package Stanley Clarke's arguably best-known and best-selling studio records for Epic/Columbia, beginning with his debut for the label in 1974. The other records here -- all of which have very solid tracks on them but also have some real filler -- are Journey to Love (1975), School Days (1976), Modern Man (1978) and the first Clarke/Duke Project album with George Duke (1981). The decision to leave off the live record, which was a best seller, or even the minor hit "I Wanna Play for You" from 1976, is a curious one, simply because the context remains more fusion than funk/disco. Given the mastering and pressings, these are solid sounding sets -- others in the series include offerings by Mahavishnu Orchestra and Duke Ellington, to name just two -- and the price tag is quite modest as well. Still, unless one is a real fan (who would presumably have these titles already anyway) it is curious as to who on these shores would even consider them. ~ Thom Jurek|

TRACKS:

CD ONE: Stanley Clarke    
01. Vulcan Princess
02. Yesterday Princess
03. Lopsy Lu
04. Power
05. Spanish Phases For Strings & Bass
Life Suite    
06.1. Part I
06.2. Part II
06.3. Part III    
06.4. Part IV
________________________

CD TWO: Journey To Love    
01. Silly Putty
02. Journey To Love
03. Hello Jeff
04. Song To John Pt. 1
05. Song To John Pt. 2
06. Concerto For Jazz/Rock Orchestra, Pt. 1-4
________________________

CD THREE: School Days
01. School Days
02. Quiet Afternoon
03. The Dancer
04. Desert Song
05. Hot Fun
06. Life Is Just A Game
________________________

CD FOUR:: Modern Man    
01. Opening Statement
02. He Lives On
03. More Hot Fun
04. Slow Dance
05. Interlude: A Serious Occasion
06. Got To Find My Own Place
07. Dayride
08. Interlude: It's What She Didn't Say
09. Modern Man
10. Interlude: A Relaxed Occasion
11. Rock & Roll Jelly
12.Closing Statement
________________________

CD FIVE: Clarke/Duke Project    
01. Wild Dog
02. Louie Louie
03. Sweet Baby
04. I Just Want To Love You
05. Never Judge A Cover By Its Book
06. Let's Get Started
07. Winners
08. Touch And Go
5-9        Finding My Way