Upside Downside
Mike Stern, 1986, from Upside Downside. Solo by Mike Stern.
Stern mixes bebop lines with a chorused rock tone, as he did with Miles Davis in the early '80s.
Upside Downside is the title track of Mike Stern's 1986 album, and it shows the blend that made his style so distinctive. He mixes fast bebop lines with a chorused rock tone, weaving through the harmony while keeping a bright, singing edge. The track's groove is energetic, and Stern's phrasing moves freely between fluid runs and bluesy bends. It reflects the approach he developed while playing with Miles Davis in the early 1980s. Listen for how the chorus effect widens his tone, giving even fast bebop phrases a lush, shimmering quality.
Upside Downside by Mike Stern is featured in our Fusion (#20) list. The solo is played by Mike Stern and the song was released in 1986.
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Who played the guitar solo on Upside Downside?
Mike Stern played the solo on Mike Stern's Upside Downside (1986).