ERIC JOHNSON / MIKE STERN - Eclectic (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The seed for this project was planted when Eric Johnson played on a few tracks for Mike Stern's 2009 album Big Neighborhood. The two guitarists discovered a shared affinity for jazz and blues, along with those two genres' rambunctious stepchildren, R&B and funk, and both players had always embraced a stylish fusion approach to their respective work. It seems only obvious and natural that they do a full album together. Eclectic was recorded in mostly live takes at Johnson's studio in Austin, Texas, and included a rhythm section of drummer Anton Fig and Johnson's longtime bassist Chris Maresh, along with guest spots from singers Malford Milligan, Leni Stern (Mike Stern's wife), and Christopher Cross, blues harpist Guy Forsyth, and a horn section of John Mills (saxophone), Mike Mordecai (trombone), and Andrew Johnson (trumpet). The versatility on display here from track to track is impressive, ranging from blues to Wes Montgomery-inspired guitar jazz, new age fusion shuffles, and huge-sounding, jazz-inspired big-band imaginary soundtrack themes, and there's no lack of amazing guitar playing, both guitarists blending and flowing together like the two edges of a single river. Highlights include the opener, Stern's driving, jazzy, and funky "Roll with It" (it turns out Stern has a pretty good singing voice, by the way), the lovely, haunting, and chiming "Wishing Well," Johnson's "Hullabaloo" (which sounds like the opening theme to some long-lost Hollywood-based 1960s detective show), Stern's modal "Remember" (modeled on John Coltrane's "Impressions"), and the set's closer, a reverent and vibrant take on Jimi Hendrix's "Red House," which brings everything back to the late-night jazzy approach to the blues that Johnson and Stern both hold so dear. by Steve Leggett
Tracklist :
1    Roll With It 5:23
Vocals – Malford Milligan
Written-By – Mike Stern
2    Remember 6:27
Percussion – Wayne Salzmann II
Written-By – Mike Stern
3    Benny Man's Blues 4:29
Written-By – Eric Johnson
4    Wishing Well 7:38
Percussion – James Fenner
Vocals [Vocal Bridge] – Christopher Cross
Vocals [Vocal Verse] – Mike Stern
Written-By – Mike Stern
5    Big Foot [With Intro] 7:07
Ngoni, Vocals – Leni Stern
Written-By – Chris Maresh
6    Tidal 5:27
Written-By – Eric Johnson
7    You Never Know 6:41
Written-By – Mike Stern
8    Dry Ice 6:51
Written-By – Bill Maddox
9    Sometimes 8:07
Written-By – Mike Stern
10    Hullabaloo 3:11
Saxophone – John Mills
Trombone – Mike Mordecai
Trumpet – Andrew Johnson
Written-By – Eric Johnson
11    Wherever You Go [With Intro] 6:06
Ngoni, Vocals [Vocal Intro] – Leni Stern
Written-By – Mike Stern
12    Red House 4:51
Harmonica – Guy Forsyth
Vocals – Eric Johnson, Mike Stern
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
Credits :
Drums, Percussion – Anton Fig
Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass – Chris Maresh
Guitar, Synthesizer, Piano, Vocals – Eric Johnson
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Stern