| Solar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1984 | |||
| Recorded | May 1982, December 1983 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 42:35 | |||
| Label | Palo Alto | |||
| Producer | Orrin Keepnews John Abercrombie John Scofield | |||
| John Abercrombie chronology | ||||
| ||||
| John Scofield chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Solar is a studio album by jazz guitarists John Abercrombie and John Scofield. It was initially released in 1984 by Palo Alto Records and reissued in 2001 by West Wind Records.[2][3]
Reception
Ken Dryden of Allmusic stated "Guitarists John Abercrombie and John Scofield join forces for these early-'80s sessions, mostly duets while occasionally adding bassist George Mraz and drummer Peter Donald. They delve into the jazz canon with an intricate duet of 'Solar', a driving, Latin-fused take of 'Four on Six' (in which Abercrombie overdubs an electric mandolin), and a dreamy duo interpretation of 'If You Could See Me Now.' The sole standard, 'I Should Care', fares just as well in their hands, which settles into a relaxed exchange between the two players as if they are playing for themselves alone. Scofield's 'Small Wonder' is scored for the quartet, a bristling post-bop vehicle with a feature for Mraz as well. Abercrombie's introspective 'Sing Song' best contrasts the styles of the two leaders, with the composer a bit more melodic and Scofield with a more brittle attack. This is an enjoyable CD that has stood the test of time very well."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Solar" | Miles Davis | 4:10 |
| 2. | "Even Steven" | Abercrombie | 6:51 |
| 3. | "Four on Six" | Wes Montgomery | 6:25 |
| 4. | "Sing Song" | Abercrombie | 6:22 |
| 5. | "Small Wonder" | John Scofield | 6:21 |
| 6. | "I Should Care" | Sammy Cahn, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston | 6:39 |
| 7. | "If You Could See Me Now" | Tadd Dameron, Carl Sigman | 6:02 |
| Total length: | 42:35 | ||
Personnel
- John Abercrombie – guitars, electric mandolin (3, 5)
- John Scofield – guitars
- George Mraz – bass (3, 5, 7)
- Peter Donald – drums (3, 5, 7)
Production
- Orrin Keepnews – producer, liner notes
- John Abercrombie – co-producer, liner notes
- John Scofield – co-producer, liner notes
- Fred Catero – engineer (1, 3, 5-7)
- Mike McDonald – engineer (2, 4)
- Roger Wiersema – assistant engineer (1, 3, 5-7)
- George Horn – mastering at Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, California)
- Herb Wong – art direction
- Chuck Walker – design
- Lee Townsend – back cover photography
- David Cavagnaro – cover photography
References
- ↑ Dryden, Ken. "John Abercrombie Solar: The Bebop Album". Allmusic. allmusic.com. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ↑ "Vital Reissues". Billboard. 14 April 2001. p. 29. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ↑ Swenson, John (1999). The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide. Random House. p. 1798. ISBN 9780679768739. Retrieved 10 March 2019.