Record Label and Music Spotlight

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2004

URBAN ISLAND -Milwaukee native Daryl Stuermer grew up listening to Mike Bloomfield, B.B. King and later Howard Roberts, George Benson and fusion fretboard kings like McLaughlin and Coryell. Forming the band Sweetbottom in 1973, he went to be the guitar sound of Jean Luc Ponty and George Duke back in the ‘70s before landing a late ‘70s / early ‘80s role with Genesis. Stuermer played on the debut solo album from Phil Collins back in 1981 and in 2004 is currently playing on what Collins calls his ‘first final farewell tour.’ Also in 2004 Stuermer released his fifth solo recording and fourth CD since starting up his Urban Island imprint. The 9 track Retrofit finds Stuermer backed up by a fine lineup of players including Kostia on keyboards, John Calarco (drums) and Eric Hervey (bass). A mellow, upbeat, instrumental smooth jazz vibe prevails with Stuermer’s fine guitar touch vividly echoing his solo work as well as his work with Collins in a variety of accomplished, guitar-based instrumental settings. Among the best tracks here is an instrumental version of a song co-written with Collins back in 1994 entitled “The Least You Can Do.” www.darylstuermer.com