*** MIKE STERN, “Give and Take,” Atlantic

Mike Stern is one of the contemporary guitarists--John Scofield, Pat Metheny and John Abercrombie are others--who have determinedly resisted the allure of the neoclassical jazz movement of the ‘90s. But, as Stern makes clear in this driving new release, he is perfectly capable of dealing with mainstream material from his own unique perspective.

Employing a sound that is far closer to rock than jazz, he digs into material such as the standard ballad “I Love You,” John Coltrane’s harmonically tricky “Giant Steps” and Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo” with confidence and enthusiasm. And he uses his gut familiarity with the blues to enhance his improvised lines without falling into overly repetitious riff patterns.

Stern, a two-time Grammy nominee, is joined on several tracks by the adventurous tenor saxophone lines of Michael Brecker. And, on “That’s What You Think,” alto saxophonist David Sanborn’s soloing reminds doubters that he continues to be a first-rate, underappreciated jazz/blues artist whose playing is vastly superior to that of his many imitators.

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