The Dave Stryker Trio
with Bob Mintzer
Groove Street
Strikezone Records
Groove Street is Dave Stryker’s Happy New Year gift to the world. From the get go, this album is a swinging groove fest with ebullient soloing from each member of the expanded trio. The melody lines are shared by Stryker’s guitar, Jared Gold’s funky organ, and guest Bob Mintzer on sax ,while McClenty Hunter holds it all together on the drums.
The album opens with Stryker’s mission statement: “Groove Street.” Hunter calls the meeting to order with a quick drum fill and then Mintzer is off on a groovy strut. Stryker, Gold, and Mintzer trade solos while the funk keeps fingers poppin’. “Groove Street” welcomes in a New Year with hope and promise. The trio plus one slows down to let the listener catch their breath on the Wayne Shorter penned “Infant Eyes.” The band is back to the funky stuff with the Eddie Harris classic “Cold Duck Time.” The album closes with Bob Mintzer’s promise of good times to come, “Straight Ahead.”
The positive energy on Groove Street is a great way to start your year.
