THE TOYS OF MEN - STANLEY CLARKE
Stanley Clarke is one of the finest jazz artists of his generation, and “The Toys of Men” is the masterpiece we’d expect from this master bassist/composer. The overarching theme is the lunacy of war. The 11-minute, six-part opening title track is an instrumental articulation of Clarke’s perception of the dark side of human nature and of his hope for the future. Serious themes do not preclude swinging, however, so check “Bad Asses,” where Clarke and drummer Ronald Bruner Jr. go lights-out for five minutes, and indulge yourself with Clarke’s riveting acoustic bass solos on “El Bajo Negro” and “Back in the Woods.”
