Heads Up HUCD 3157 | Mike Stern (g), Bob Franceschini, Bob Malach (s), Randy Brecker (t), Jim Beard (p, kys), John Medeski (kys), Steve Vai (g, sitar g), Eric Johnson (g), Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona (b, v), Chris Wood, Lincoln Goines, Chris Minh Doky (b), Dave Weckl, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cindy Blackman, Lionel Cordew and Billy Martin (d). Rec. 2007-2008

As you’ll note from the personnel list, Mr Stern lives in a mighty big neighbourhood, not just geographically – Stern took himself to LA and Austin, Texas as well as recording in his home town of New York – but also musically: rock, jazz, Latin, African and Middle Eastern vibes ebb and flow throughout this richly varied album. But then for Stern, who has constantly toured his music, the world has always been his backyard.

Such catch-all albums can end up as the most awful cut and paste jobs, but several energies hold this disparate package together. Firstly, Stern insisted on a largely live in the studio sound – no computer files of solos mailed to remote studios on this project and although he wouldn’t normally be associated with some of these guests – notably out-and-out rockers Vai and Johnson – he has insisted on keeping the core rhythm section to players he has known for decades such as Weckl, Goines and Minh Doky, so that bedrock Stern sound is ever-present, whoever the guest is. And of course other “guests” – Franceschini, Brecker, Beard – are all long time associates. Nor is the use of so many women a stunt. Stern’s previously flourished in the company of his wife and Kim Thompson and here Blackman, Carrington and Esperanza provide a complex heart to the album, while Esperanza’s vocalese is outstanding. Andy Robson