Leni Stern - Closer To The Light (1990)

Leni Stern had grown considerably as a soloist by the time she recorded her fourth album, Closer to the Light. The jazz/pop/rock guitarist already had a very recognizable sound -- light, lyrical, and definitely Pat Metheny-influenced, yet distinctively her own. But with Light, her improvising sounded more confident and assured. Stern's sympathetic company includes David Sanborn (alto sax), Paul Socolow (bass), Dennis Chambers (drums), and fellow guitarist Wayne Krantz (with whom she has often joined forces). Stern and Krantz seem an unlikely combination -- in contrast to her subtlety and softness, Krantz can be very muscular, and has made the mistake of overpowering her at times. But that's never a problem on this generally relaxed date, which offers additional proof of Stern's thoughtfulness as a composer. The CD's liner notes were written by Bill Milkowski, one of the few jazz critics who has covered fusion with great insight and understanding. -- Alex Henderson