School Days cover

School Days

Released

Clarke’s fourth solo album was his commercial breakthrough. The screamingly intense funk-rock title track, led by his popping, bouncing bass line (obviously) but equally driven by high-energy synths, became the song everyone was waiting to hear at his concerts. The album goes a lot of places in only six tracks, though, featuring guest appearances by fellow fusion heavyweights George Duke, Billy Cobham, and John McLaughlin, and orchestral strings and brass on the closing “Hot Fun” and “Life Is Just a Game.”

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Milagre dos Peixes cover

Milagre dos Peixes

Milton Nascimento
Where Have I Known You Before cover

Where Have I Known You Before

Return to Forever, Chick Corea
The Sky Below cover

The Sky Below

Miles Okazaki
Gaucho cover

Gaucho

Steely Dan
Satin Doll cover

Satin Doll

Sam Gendel
Lotus cover

Lotus

Santana
Elegant Gypsy cover

Elegant Gypsy

Al Di Meola
Illuminations cover

Illuminations

Carlos Santana, Alice Coltrane