On this solo release Stryker takes a different direction, exploring some bluesy moments and rereadings of some classic jazz songs alongside original material.
His take on the Sinatra classic “It Was a Very Good Year” (recently remade by the late Ray Charles for his last album) is an innovative one: he takes a generally slow, downtempo tune and gives it a more swinging feel as a tribute to the late saxophonist Bob Berg, who co-wrote the arrangement with pianist David Kikoski, peforming with Stryker on the disc.
The beautiful Cole Porter “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” (Natalie Cole recently did it for the soundtrack of the underrated biopic De-Lovely) is one of the composer’s finest moments not only for its beautiful lyrics but also for the richness of the melody, which gives Stryker a lot of space to improvise around by adding a few chord changes and giving it a more “cool” East Coast feel.
The title track is a Stryker original, which translates the frenzied feel of New York City. Fast changing chords and an upbeat tempo take you right up there to rush hour and gives the feeling that you are on a musical express train heading to another hectic day on the town. |