Jazz/funk/fusion title by Lenny, originally released in 1978. 11 tracks including 'Struttin'', 'Lady Madonna' & '12 Bars from Mars'.
CD Reviews
Not Such A High Concept!
Andre' S Grindle | Bangor,ME. | 09/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Following in the lead of his band Return To Forever's
nagging hyperbole,most of Lenny White's solo albums have been
little more then excersises in overplaying-only the most intellectual and skilled of musicians would be likely to even
appreciate them.But on 1978's 'Streamline' Lenny White went all
out to change all that.Across eleven songs the arrangements are
tightly wound and the accompanyment extremely glossy.High production values are prominant but so is a much welcome sense
of actual melody and song quality.
The instrumental "Pooh Bear" is probably the
best example of what great fusion should be-grooving,upbeat
and expressive and Larry Dunn's production does give some of these tunes and Earth,Wind & Fire style.In the meantime Chaka Khan joins in to throw down a throbbing funk rendition of
"Lady Madonna" (actually it may even wipe the floor with
The Beatles original as well).Even "12 Bars From Mars" and
"Earthlings" may even give a little missive from the funk-rock
book while "Struttin'" and "Time" are pure vocal funk!Even the
more pure fusiony tunes "Lockie's Inspiration","I'll See You
Again" and "Night Games" are far more structured."Cosmic Indigo"
ends off the whole thing veturing into acoustic jazz.All this being said due to the often uneven nature of Lenny White albums
this is probably the first album you should purchase by this artist!
"
What Jazz-Fusion is supposed to be!
A. J. Porter | Gilbert, AZ USA | 07/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is probably THE most awesome jazz-fusion album ever! I can't believe they waited SO long to put it out on CD! I have been waiting for this for 15 years! From the incredible opening "Struttin'" right on through the funked up version of "Lady Madonna" with Chaka Khan's soaring vocals on the break, to the blistering guitar work on "Earthlings" and on to the final cut "Cosmic Indigo" this record will BLOW YOU AWAY!If you are into jazz-fusion and can only afford one album, this is the one you should buy!!! The tunes are all wired and the players are all at the top of their game on this one. The sonic presence of the lead guitar on "Earthlings" will pin you back and make you wonder how they got such a spectacular sound onto the recording over 20 years ago!It's got enough jazz in it for the jazz buffs, and more than enough fusion to draw the rock crowd in. If you want, you can even sample "12 Bars from Mars" on your computer, and play it back at half speed to find out what the heck it is (subtle hint).Buy it, put it in, crank up the volume and be prepared to be inspired, impressed, and blown away . . . all at the same time! You will finally know what the "REPEAT ALL" button on your CD player is for! Buy, buy, buy! Listen, listen, listen! Cherish, cherish, cherish! Listen some more!I guarantee you will not regret buying this one, unless you ONLY go for classical music. If that's the case, all of the above is lost on you anyway."
Marcus Miller has arrived
Seacouch | Seattle, WA USA | 05/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fantastic CD. I agree with the other reviews. The main things that set this project apart were Larry Dunn's production (his synth programming and orchestration is absolutely gorgeous, as always!) and something not mentioned in the previous reviews: Marcus Miller (how could you not mention MM?!?)!! Oh my god, the tone, the groove! Marcus was only about 18 years old on this CD, but had certainly done his homework. This wasn't Marcus' first recording, but among his first. It was definitely his highest profile recording up to that time, and notable because he was playing with Lenny White, inviting direct comparison with Stanley Clarke. Marcus doesn't shy away from the challenge, and even throws in a Stanley lick or two, as he sometimes did in this early phase of his career (check out Brecker Brothers' Detente). This CD really marks Marcus' arrival, which is (not coincidentally) also the beginning of the end of the Stanley Clarke / Jaco Pastorius era."
I loved my tape
J. Livermore | UK | 07/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I needed to replace my cassette tape of Streamline, purchased a generation ago, such is my love of this album. Why do I love it? Lets go back almost 30 years. Lenny, of Jazz Rock giants Return to Forever, does things funky. A young kid on the bass, Marcus Miller, who seems to have a promising career ahead of him, whacks out some fast and funky bass lines. There's a powerful version of Lennon and McCartney's Lady Madonna, sung by the girl from Rufus, Chaka Khan, Lenny does his sci-fi space thing with a guitar-led rock mini-classic, 12 bars from Mars, there's a little bit of be-bop; a whole heap of funk; a good portion of jazz rock. After my first hearing of this album, I dreamed of doing two things. Playing the bass and playing the drums. I listened to this CD last night, and I wanted to do two things. Learn the bass and learn the drums. Listen to this album, you'll understand."
FIVE STARS PLUS
Eugene K. Golbourne | Lancaster Pa | 06/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been buying alot of my old 70's and early 80's fusion cd's since my vinyl has been all but destroyed from repeated playings and abuse. I found Lenny White's Big City and Venesian Summer in a used CD bin in a record store in Baltimore. Listening to Lenny old stuff reminded me of how much I dug Streamline when it released. This CD is totally slamming and the sound still sounds fresh. I played the cd in my car for a 70's homeboy and he literally lost his mind. He wanted to borrow it but I remembered that was how all my vinyl got destroyed. The previous review was right on. The Larry Dunn touch was magic. Remember Caldera, Larry's fusion band featuring Eddie Del Barrio, George Strunz, this CD has that kind of magic. The Marcus Miller bass sets this cd ablaze. Buy,Listen and Enjoy!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1