The Toys Of Men

Performer: Stanley Clarke (Double Bass)
Producer: Stanley Clarke
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Bassist/composer Stanley Clarke was around at fusion's inception, playing with Chick Corea, George Duke, and many others. While other performers might have muddied fusion's waters with overindulgence and blandness, Clarke's TOYS OF MEN proves that it's still very much a viable musical route. Throughout, there's a balance of acoustic and electric instrumentation (Clarke even plays an acoustic bass guitar on some tracks), as well as moods both contemplative ("Back In The Woods") and darkly funky ("Game"). The six-part "Toys Of Men" even reflects some 1970's prog-rock influence. Old fans of fusion will likely be pleased with TOYS and fusion/jam band newbies should check it out as well.

Down Beat (p.80) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he album presents a varied menu, complete with fantastic electric and acoustic bass solos, all against a surprisingly textural backdrop." JazzTimes (p.93) - "[H]e stretches his fabled chops to another level....Clarke's signature slap technique comes to the fore on funky vehicles like the super-charged 'Come On'..."

Philadelphia-born bassist Stanley Clarke got his start playing with straight-up jazzers (Horace Silver, Joe Henderson), but became known as one of the prime movers in the jazz-rock fusion movement of the 1970s. His virtuosic technique on both the electric and the acoustic bass made him a superstar of the instrument. Clarke skillfully blended rock, jazz, and funk, on solo recordings, as a member of fusion supergroup Return To Forever, and in collaborations with keyboardist George Duke and others. Clarke's distinctive slapping technique has influenced numerous technically stunning players, from Bela Fleck accompanist Victor Wooten to Miles Davis cohort Marcus Miller.

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