The Stryker / Slagle Band - The Scene (2008)

The Stryker/Slagle Band's third CD can be described as post-bop with an edge. Both Dave Stryker (guitar) and Steve Slagle (alto sax, soprano sax, flute) have paid a lot of dues as sidemen and have recorded albums of their own. But sparks fly when the two men join forces, propelled by bassist Jay Anderson and drummer extraordinaire Victor Lewis. Tenor saxist Joe Lovano is an added guest on several numbers, including "Skee," Slagle's quirky tribute to the late Dennis Irwin, a highly sought-after bassist who lost his battle with cancer in early 2008, along with Slagle's loping, Monk-flavored "Hopewell's Last." Stryker penned a few songs as well, including the upbeat vehicle "Brighter Day" (also adding Lovano) and the explosive "Strikology," a thinly disguised reworking of John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice." Slagle switches to flute for a spirited interpretation of Roland Kirk's "Fingers in the Wind," with Stryker providing subdued backing for his pyrotechnics.

Review by Ken Dryden