Upside Downside
Upside Downside combines the direct force of rock guitar with the melodic movement of jazz. Mike Stern has a clear, passionate lead sound, but the music does more than provide settings for fast solos. Strong bass, keyboards, drums and saxophone parts give the arrangements their own character. The music balances energy and lyricism.
The title track makes the forceful approach immediately clear. Guitar and the surrounding group play with enough commitment to make the music feel physical. Stern can move quickly through a phrase without making speed the only point. His sound keeps a blues and rock edge within the jazz setting.
Goodbye Again offers a gentler perspective. David Sanborn's alto saxophone brings another expressive voice into the arrangement, and the slower pace leaves space for melody. The contrast shows that Stern can communicate without always pushing harder.
Mood Swings changes the personnel around him, with Jaco Pastorius on bass. That different rhythmic personality gives the track a particularly lively feel. The bass is a melodic presence rather than simply a foundation, allowing the guitar and saxophone to work around another strong voice.
The polished electric setting may require an adjustment for listeners used to acoustic jazz. For guitar fans, however, that direct sound is part of the attraction. Upside Downside offers expressive soloing, convincing quieter moments and enough ensemble detail to make both worthwhile. Stern's strongest quality is the way he connects musical fluency with feeling. The record remains an inviting example of how much jazz and rock can give each other when the playing has a clear purpose.
