Dave Stryker goes for a tasteful, inspired combination of classical, folk, and jazz with the elegant “Stryker with Strings Goes To The Movies.” The production embraces cinematics with a sound that feels bright and airy. A sense of wonder underpins the entirety of the album. Ups and downs, the high energy alongside the mellowed grooves, it has a cyclical understanding of time. Without needing to say a single word, a narrative begins to form. To his credit, he explores themes from many 1970s classics, among some of the most revered themes in film, bathing the sound in a nostalgic hue.
He sets the tone immediately with the leisurely buildup of “In Your Eyes.” The midcentury vibes are off the charts as “You Only Live Twice” sparkles with lovely keyboards, delicate brushstrokes, and an unexpectedly blooming horn section. “Theme from Shaft” brings the funk in the best way possible, with the anticipation a part of the song’s inherent sense of joy and defiance. On “Flirtibird,” the song executes a slinky, dirty groove with a sense of glee, and the strings entering the situation add to the enormity. Wes Montgomery’s levels of jazz guitar come through on “Moonglow.” Tying the whole experience together is the casual cool of “Edelweiss,” with the lyrical guitar feeling pitch-perfect.
“Stryker with Strings Goes To The Movies” presents a powerful sound, with Dave Stryker going for a downright gorgeous, plush set of arrangements that consume the listener whole.
