The “Urban Earth” album by Harvie S (Harvie Swartz) was recorded in 1985 and features an impressive lineup including guitarist Mike Stern, alto saxophonist David Sanborn, pianist Ben Aronov, and drummer Victor Lewis. This album is notable for blending electric jazz with a strong mainstream leaning, and it showcases Harvie’s clever original compositions.
David Sanborn delivers inspired alto sax solos, which reveal a more heartfelt and intricate style beyond his usual commercial sound. Mike Stern contributes some of his best guitar solos on tracks like “Pyramid,” while Victor Lewis provides a strong rhythmic foundation on drums. The album features a mix of ballads, funkier tracks, and tasteful solos, highlighted by Stern’s and Sanborn’s performances. Harvie S’s bass work is central throughout, demonstrating his deep and creative musicianship.
This album, along with “Smart Moves,” represents a significant part of Harvie S’s mid-80s output on the Gramavision label, though both albums have been somewhat hard to find in recent years due to rights issues. The “Urban Earth” band was known for its strong synergy among these top musicians and is highly regarded in jazz circles for its artistic depth and execution. The seven tracks on the album are as follows:
- Sweet Walk
- Falling
- Pyramid
- Until Tomorrow
- The Duke
- Mother Ship
- Round Midnight