Review by Skope Entertainment:
Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs studio is known for its innumerable catalogue of iconic contemporary jazz records, and guitarist Dave Stryker adds his name to that elite lineage with his latest record, "Blue Fire: The Van Gelder session." For Stryker, this album represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Having come up through the ranks alongside legends like Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine, Blue Fire is a statement of his personal evolution. At its core, Blue Fire is modern jazz steeped in the organ trio tradition, a format that demands trust, and responsiveness. Without a bass, rhythmic momentum must be shared, and Stryker's trio thrives in that openness. The album is a masterclass in texture and conversation, seamlessly blending hard-bop agility and soul-jazz warmth. Stryker's guitar tone is warm and articulate with his solos really shining through on the title track "Blue Fire." Throughout the album, his performances unfold in long, conversational lines that feel spoken rather than announced. Gold's organ work is both foundational and exploratory, and while he stands out on "Waiting for Ruby," his real strength is to stay relevant even when he isn't in the spotlight. The bass lines, harmonic color, and expressive solos that push against the edges of the groove add a depth and character that can only be produced with experience. Hunter, meanwhile, is the trio's quiet engine: agile, alert, and constantly shaping the music's direction without ever dominating it. The trio's interplay is especially effective in Van Gelder's famously resonant room as notes hang just long enough to breathe, allowing ideas to develop naturally rather than rush forward. Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session doesn't aim to be a flashy record. Its strength lies in clarity, connection, and craft.
https://skopemag.com/2025/12/31/dave-stryker-presents-blue-fire-the-van-gelder-session-out-january-9-2026
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Reseña de Skope Entertainment - Traducción:
El estudio de Rudy Van Gelder en Englewood Cliffs es conocido por su innumerable catálogo de discos icónicos de jazz contemporáneo, y el guitarrista Dave Stryker añade su nombre a ese linaje de élite con su último disco, "Blue Fire: The Van Gelder session." Para Stryker, este álbum representa el cumplimiento de un sueño largamente acariciado. Habiendo surgido entre las filas junto a leyendas como Jack McDuff y Stanley Turrentine, Blue Fire es una declaración de su evolución personal. En su esencia, Blue Fire es jazz moderno impregnado de la tradición del trío de órgano, un formato que exige confianza y capacidad de respuesta. Sin un bajo, el impulso rítmico debe ser compartido, y el trío de Stryker prospera en esa apertura. El álbum es una clase magistral en textura y conversación, combinando sin problemas la agilidad del hard-bop y la calidez del soul-jazz. El tono de guitarra de Stryker es cálido y articulado con sus solos brillando realmente en la pista que da título "Blue Fire." A lo largo del álbum, sus interpretaciones se despliegan en largas líneas conversacionales que se sienten habladas en lugar de anunciadas. El trabajo de órgano de Gold es tanto fundamental como exploratorio, y aunque se destaca en "Waiting for Ruby," su verdadera fortaleza es mantenerse relevante incluso cuando no está en el centro de atención. Las líneas de bajo, el color armónico y los solos expresivos que empujan contra los bordes del groove añaden una profundidad y carácter que solo pueden ser producidos con experiencia. Hunter, mientras tanto, es el motor silencioso del trío: ágil, alerta y constantemente moldeando la dirección de la música sin dominarla nunca. La interacción del trío es especialmente efectiva en la famosa sala resonante de Van Gelder, ya que las notas se sostienen justo lo suficiente para respirar, permitiendo que las ideas se desarrollen naturalmente en lugar de apresurarse hacia adelante. Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session no pretende ser un disco llamativo. Su fortaleza radica en la claridad, la conexión y el oficio.
https://skopemag.com/2025/12/31/dave-stryker-presents-blue-fire-the-van-gelder-session-out-january-9-2026
1 - Van Gelder's Place (6:11)
2 - Blue Fire (6:13)
3 - The Fool on the Hill (5:26)
4 - Dexterity (7:32)
5 - Waiting for Ruby (7:03)
6 - Back and Forth (5:40)
7 - The Folks Who Live on the Hill (7:04)
8 - Every Dark St. (4:50)
9 - Summer Night (6:08)
Credits:
Dave Stryker - Guitar, Producer
Jared Gold - Organ
McClenty Hunter - Drums
Maureen Sickler - Engineer
Chris Sulit - Mixed By, Mastered By
Christopher Drukker - Graphic Design, Photography
Matt Stryker - Cover Photo
Label: Strikezone Records
Catalogue Number: 195269397142
Country: US
Released: January 9, 2026
Recorded: July 14, 2025 at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Mixed & Mastered: July 29, 2025 at Trading 8s Recording Studio, Paramus, NJ
Genre: Jazz
Style: Organ Jazz, Soul Jazz, Hard Bop
Duration: 56:03
https://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-fire-the-van-gelder-session-mw0004722281
https://www.discogs.com/release/36148288-Dave-Stryker-Blue-Fire-The-Van-Gelder-Session
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