MARK WEINSTEIN - STRAIGHT NO CHASER (2008)

Mark Weinstein goes straight! After being voted ‘Best Latin Jazz Flautist’ for Con Alma (2007), #1 in radio play nationwide, O Nosso Amor (2006), ‘Best Brazilian Jazz Record,’ and Algo Más (2005), ‘Best of the Year,’ Latin Beat Magazine Mark shows his bebop chops with Straight, No Chaser. An all star rhythm section gives Mark what he needs to play jazz classics and original compositions. Playing concert, alto and bass flutes Mark demonstrates once again that in his hands the flute can do it all.

Mark Weinstein - Soprano, alto and bass flutes
Dave Stryker - Guitar
Ed Howard - Bass
Victor Lewis - Drums

review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for VINILEMANIA.NET

Mark Weinstein and Dave Stryker have collaborated on a new recording, Straight No Chaser. It is a straight ahead, masterful and swinging jazz album featuring the flute of Weinstein and the guitar of Stryker. An equal mix of smooth flute and powerful lead/rhythm guitar that guides the listener through three Weinstein originals and two Stryker originals. Included in the ten song CD are helpings of Shorter, Rollins, Monk and some jazz standards. The band in quartet format is rounded out by Ed Howard on bass and Victor Lewis playing drums.    

The album jettisons in double time on the first shot with a Weinstein original “Loverin’”, a song that showcases the flute on the first break and the guitar on the second half. A high energy song that has a familiar sound to it, it allows the band to open up and lay down some very hot licks. The rhythm section is tight, fluid and sounding on a mission to compete for top grade. The push comes from the swingin’ drums of Victor Lewis; the bass of Ed Howard is racing on a walking pattern that holds the beat down firmly. Stryker plays with full sumptuous chords that sustain through a full bar. He plays melody in half time, creating a very interesting counterpoint to the playing of Mark Weinstein who wails on his flute at a rapid tempo. 

On the tune “Blues For Janice” a Weinstein original, a slow walking blues, is the perfect setting for the flute to sing the praises of the person whom the song is about. Weinstein has a clean tone; he plays rapid runs and has his flute singing clearly and in a passionate manner. After Weinstein’s’ solo Dave Stryker takes a solo that is very inspired. He starts with single note triplets played ostinato; let’s rip a fluid riff of many notes and transitions into chords that are full of bright, colourful sound. He brings the solo to a close with dynamics. Building a crescendo of chords, to a take your breath away pause, where the bassist immediately takes over. Ed Howard lays down some wonderful playing, a great big tone and distinct lines that flow as smooth as honey. 

The cover tunes, “Miyako” by Wayne Shorter, “Airegin” by Sonny Rollins and the title track “Straight No Chaser” by T.S. Monk are all performed with passion. The flute playing in “Airegin” is spectacular. The inclusion of bass flute on Monk’s “Straight No Chaser” is different, a sound not generally associated with jazz. The way Weinstein employs it reminds me of Ian Anderson’s playing on “Aqualung”, a cool sound that adds more growl to the body of the tune. Victor Lewis plays the tune as a rudimentary march and looses his sense of swing in this one until Stryker comes out in solo. Stryker plays the chord pattern alla Monk and stays in that syncopated feel lending credence and tradition to the original. 

The two Dave Stryker songs are progressive; the song entitled “Shanti” has a touching melody line and a slow haunting introduction. The song gets rather trippy, a voyage of wave like tones with an alto sounding flute blending in the background just below the acoustic sounding guitar. The interest builds as the flute takes the lead and a solo of bansuri (Indian flute) like tones magically raises the song as if to float in an enchanting manner. The second Stryker composition “Crianza” is also the closer for Straight No Chaser and takes the listener out in a mellow way. A tune of “Greensleeves” like beauty is “Crianza”, a classical folk song that pushes Ed Howard to really get imaginative on his bass solo, tremendous playing.  

Overall Straight No Chaser is a great album with excellent musicianship.