Stanley Clarke Discography

A young magician who fell under the spell of Scientology, fusion, funk and a certain four-stringed instrument known as the bass guitar. From the 70s onward, there probably hasn’t been a moment in time when someone, somewhere wasn’t emphatically advancing the notion that Stanley Clarke is the greatest bass guitarist in the world. He is certainly one of the greatest bass guitarists in the field of fusion, and you’ll find ample proof of that on just about every Return To Forever album. You’ll find that RTF magic at work in his Nemperor recordings too. Like most fusion artists from the 70s, he’s also released some slightly embarrassing disco records, exhumed the oldies and proved his resilience with a Grammy in his graybeard years.

Clarke met Chick Corea while they were supporting Joe Henderson, which led to an invitation from Corea to join Return To Forever. Throughout the 70s, Clarke appeared on every RTF album and a few Corea solo albums besides. Corea returned the favor on Children of Forever (1973) and Journey To Love (1975), but it was School Days (1976) that signaled Clarke’s arrival as a star. Featuring six tracks done in very different styles, School Days was a showcase for his versatility as both a songwriter and a performer. In the 1980s, Clarke moved into R&B/funk and scored a crossover hit on his collaboration with former Frank Zappa keyboardist George Duke, The Clarke/Duke Project (1981). Clarke continued to release new records into the next century and surprised many when The Stanley Clarke Band (2010) won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

CHILDREN OF FOREVER (1973)
Children of Forever / Unexpected Days / Bass Folk Song // Butterfly Dreams / Sea Journey. Released on elpee in June 1973 in the US (Polydor, PD 5531), France (Polydor, 2310 267) and Japan (Polydor, MP 2325); reached #39 on the US Jazz charts. Re-issued on elpee in Japan (Polydor, 18MJ-9009). Re-issued on compact disc in 1994 in the US (One Way, OW 30340). Re-released on remastered compact disc in 2007 in the US (Verve, B0009788-02).

Lopsy Lu (1974)
b/w Vulcan Princess. Released on 7-inch in 1974 in the US (Nemperor, NE-001). Also released as promotional 7-inch in 1974 in the US (Nemperor, NE-001) with mono version of “Lopsy Lu” on the flip side.

STANLEY CLARKE (1974)
Vulcan Princess / Yesterday Princess / Lopsy Lu / Power // Spanish Phases For Strings & Brass / Life Suite: Parts I-IV. Released on elpee in 1974 in the US (Nemperor) and the UK (Atlantic, K50101); reached #59 on the US charts and #4 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on elpee in the UK (Epic, EPC-32042). Re-released on CD in the US (Epic, EK 36973). Repackaged w. Journey To Love, School Days, Modern Man and The Clarke/Duke Project as Original Album Classics on 5CD in 2007 in the UK (Sony/BMG Jazz, 14546).

JOURNEY TO LOVE (1975)
Silly Putty / Journey To Love / Hello Jeff / Song For John (Part I) / Song For John (Part II) / Concerto For Jazz-Rock Orchestra. Released on elpee in 1975 in the US (Nemperor, NE-433) and the UK (Nemperor, K50187); reached #34 on the US charts. Re-released on elpee in the 80s in the UK (Epic, EPC-32093). Re-released on CD in the US (Epic, EK 36974).

Hello Jeff (1975)
b/w Silly Putty. Released on 7-inch in 1975 in the UK (Atlantic, 10705). Also released on 7-inch in December 1975 in the US (Nemperor, NE-002) with A and B reversed and as promotional 7-inch feat. “Silly Putty” mono and stereo versions.

SCHOOL DAYS (1976)
School Days / Quiet Afternoon / The Dancer // Desert Song / Hot Fun / Life Is Just A Game. Released on elpee in 1976 in the US (Nemperor), UK (Atlantic, K50296) and Japan (Atlantic, P-10239A); reached #34 on the US charts and #2 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on elpee in 1981 in Japan (Epic, 25.3P-289). Re-released on elpee in the 1980s in the UK (Epic, EPC-32094). Re-released on CD on January 25, 1999 in the US (Epic, EK 36975).

Hot Fun (1976)
b/w Life Is Just A Game. Released on 7-inch in 1976 in the UK (Nemperor, K10889) and the US (Nemperor, NE-009).

MODERN MAN (1978)
Opening (Statement) / He Lives On (Story About The Last Journey of A Warrior) / More Hot Fun / Slow Dance / Interlude: A Serious Occasion / Got To Find My Own Place // Dayride / Interlude: It’s What She Didn’t Say / Modern Man / Interlude: A Relaxed Occasion / Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly / Closing (Statement). Released on elpee in 1978 in the US (Nemperor, JZ-35303), UK, the Netherlands and Spain (Epic, EPC-82674), Australia (CBS, SBP-237158), Canada (Nemperor, PZ-35303); reached #57 on the US charts and #4 on the US Jazz charts. Regional elpee versions feature a lyrics innersleeve. Re-released on elpee in the 1980s in the UK (Epic, EPC-32108). Repackaged w. I Wanna Play For You and released on remastered CD on October 5, 2010 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-923).

More Hot Fun (1978)
b/w Slow Dance. Released on 7-inch in 1978 in the UK (Epic, 6353). Also released as promotional 12-inch single in 1978 in the US (Nemperor, ASD-450).

Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly (1978)
b/w Slow Dance. Released on 7-inch in July 1978 in the US (Nemperor, ZS8-7518). Also released as promotional 12-inch single in 1978 in the US (Nemperor, ASD-456).

I WANNA PLAY FOR YOU (1979)
Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly / All About / Jamaican Boy / Christopher Ivanhoe / My Greatest Hits / Strange Weather / I Wanna Play For You / Just A Feeling / The Streets of Philadelphia // School Days / Quiet Afternoon / Together Again / Blues For Mingus / Off The Planet / Hot Fun-Closing. Released on 2LP in 1979 in the US (Nemperor, KZ2-35680), the UK (Epic, S EPC 83315) and Japan (Nemperor, 40AP-1198/9); reached #62 on the US charts and #5 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD on May 10, 1994 in the US (Epic, EK 64295).

Jamaican Boy (1979)
b/w Rock ‘N Roll Jelly. Released on 7-inch in 1979 in the US (Nemperor, ZS8-7521) and as promotional 7-inch feat. A mono and stereo.

Just A Feeling (1979)
b/w The Streets of Philadelphia. Released on 12-inch in 1979 in the US (Nemperor, 4Z8-7522).

Together Again (1979)
b/w Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly (live). Released on 7-inch in 1979 in the UK (Epic, SEPC-7920).

ROCKS, PEBBLES AND SAND (1980)
Danger Street / All Hell Broke Loose / Rocks, Pebbles And Sand / Underestimation / You/Me Together / We Supply / The Story of A Man And A Woman – Part 1: She Thought I Was Stanley Clarke – Part 2: A Fool Again – Part 3: I Nearly Went Crazy (Until I Realized What Had Occurred). Released on elpee in 1980 in the US (Epic, JE-36506), UK (Epic, EPC-84342) and Japan (Epic, 25.3P-216); reached #95 on the US charts and #5 on the US Jazz charts. Repackaged with Let Me Know You and re-released on remastered CD on July 27, 2010 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-924).

We Supply (1980)
b/w Underestimation. Released on 7-inch in May 1980 in the US (Epic, 9-50980). Also released as promotional 12-inch in 1980 in the UK (Epic, XPR-1206).

You/Me Together (1980)
b/w Rocks, Pebbles And Sand. Released on 7-inch in October 1980 in the US (Epic, 9-50924).

THE CLARKE/DUKE PROJECT (1981)
Wild Dog / Louie Louie / Sweet Baby / I Just Want To Love You / Never Judge A Cover By Its Book // Let’s Get Started / Winners / Touch And Go / Finding My Way. Released on elpee in 1981 in the US (Epic, FE 36918) and Japan (Epic, 25.3P-270) with innersleeve; reached #33 on the US charts and #1 on the US Jazz charts. Re-issued on compact disc (Epic, 36918).

Sweet Baby (1981)
b/w Never Judge A Cover By Its Book. Released on 7-inch on March 27, 1981 in the US (Epic, 19-01052); reached #19 on the US charts and #6 on the Hot Black Singles chart (talk to Billboard, not me).

I Just Want To Love You (1981)
b/w Never Judge A Cover By Its Book. Released on 7-inch in 1981 in the UK (Epic, EPCA-1311). Also released on 7-inch in July 1981 in the US (Epic, 14-02397) with “Finding My Way” on the B side.

Touch And Go (1981)
b/w Wild Dog. Released on 7-inch in October 1981 in the US (Epic, 14-02568).

LET ME KNOW YOU (1982)
Straight To The Top / Let Me Know You / You Are The One For Me / I Just Want To Be Your Brother / The Force of Love / Play The Bass / Secret To My Heart / New York City. Released on elpee in 1982 in the US (Epic, FE-38086), the UK and the Netherlands (Epic, EPC-85846) and Japan (Epic, 25.3P-372); reached #114 on the US charts and #7 on the US Jazz charts. Regional elpee versions feature lyrics innersleeve.

Straight To The Top (1982)
b/w The Force of Love. Released on 7-inch in September 1982 in the US (Epic, 14-03038) and the UK (Epic, EPCA-2697).

You Are The One For Me (1982)
Released as promotional 7-inch in November 1982 in the US (Epic, 34-03388).

THE CLARKE/DUKE PROJECT II (1983)
Put It On The Line / Heroes / Try Me Baby / Every Reason To Smile / Great Danes / The Good Times / You’re Gonna Love It / Trip You In Love / Atlanta. Released on elpee in 1983 in the US (Epic, FE-38934); reached #146 on the US charts and #19 on the US Jazz charts.

Heroes (1983)
b/w Atlanta + Heroes (instrumental). Released on 7-inch in September 1983 in the US (Epic, 34-04155). Also released on three-track 12-inch in 1983 in the US (Epic, 49-04156).

THE GRIFFITH PARK COLLECTION 2 IN CONCERT (1983)
Live tracks: Why Wait / Guernica / Happy Times / October Ballad / I Mean You / Here’s That Rainy Day. Co-credited to Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Lenny White and released on 2LP in 1983 in Japan (Warner/Pioneer, P-5632/3).

The Good Times (1984)
b/w Great Danes. Released on 7-inch in January 1984 in the US (Epic, 34-04322).

TIME EXPOSURE (1984)
Play The Bass 10 To The Third Power / Are You Ready (For The Future) / Speedball / Heaven Sent You / Time Exposure / Future Shock / Future / Spacerunner / I Know Just How You Feel. Released on elpee in 1984 in the US (Epic); reached #149 on the US charts and #10 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD in the US (Epic, 38688).

Are You Ready? (1984)
b/w Speedball. Released on 7-inch and 12-inch in March 1984 in the US (Epic, 34-04389/49-04972).

Heaven Sent You (1984)
b/w Speedball. Released on 7-inch in June 1984 in the US (Epic, 34-04485).

Spacerunner (1984)
b/w Future. Released on 7-inch and 12-inch in October 1984 in the US (Epic, 34-04662/49-05120).

FIND OUT! (1985)
Find Out / What If I Should Fall In Love / Born In The U.S.A. / The Sky’s The Limit / Don’t Turn The Lights Out / Campo Americano / Stereoptica / Psychedelic / My Life. Credited to The Stanley Clarke Band and released on elpee in 1985 in the US (Epic, FE-40040) and the Netherlands (Epic, EPC-26521).

Born In The U.S.A. (Extended Dance Mix) (1985)
b/w Campo Americano + Born In The U.S.A. (edited version). Released on 7-inch and three-track 12-inch in May 1985 in the US (Epic, 34-04914/49-05210).

What If I Should Fall In Love (1985)
b/w Stereoptica. Released on 7-inch in September 1985 in the US (Epic, 34-05584).

HIDEAWAY (1986)
Hideaway / Overjoyed / My Love, Her Inspiration / Where Do We Go? / The Boys of Johnson Street / Old Friends / When It’s Cold Outside / Listen To The Beat of Your Heart / Basketball / I’m Here To Stay. Released on elpee in 1986 in the US (Epic, FE-40275); reached #15 on the US Jazz charts. Re-released on CD in the US (Portrait/Sony, 40275).

I’m Here To Stay (1986)
b/w The Boys of Johnson Street. Released on 7-inch in October 1986 in the US (Epic, 34-06388). Also released as promotional three-track 12-inch in 1986 in the US (Epic, EAS-2528) with LP version of “I’m Here To Stay.”

Listen To The Beat of Your Heart (Extended Dance Remix) (1987)
b/w Where Do We Go + Listen To The Beat of Your Heart (radio edit) + Listen To The Beat of Your Heart (dub mix). Released on 7-inch and four-track 12-inch in January 1987 in the US (Epic, 34-06591/49-05993).

IF THIS BASS COULD ONLY TALK (1988)
If This Bass Could Only Talk / Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / I Want To Play For Ya / Stories To Tell / Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun) / Workin’ Man / Tradition / Come Take My Hand / Bassically Taps. Released on elpee and CD on June 14, 1988 in the US (Portrait, 40923), Japan (Epic/Sony, 28.8P-5028) and the Netherlands (CBS, PRT-4608831); reached #2 on the US Contemporary Jazz charts.

Funny How Time Flies (1988)
Released as promotional 12-inch in 1988 in the US (Portrait, 1226).

THE CLARKE/DUKE PROJECT VOL. 3 (1990)
Pit Bulls (An Endangered Species) / Oh Oh / No Place To Hide / Somebody Else / Mothership Connection (Star Child) / Right By My Side / From The Deepest Corner of My Heart / Lady / Find Out Who You Are / Quiet Time / Finger Prints / Always. Released on CD on May 29, 1990 in the US (Epic, EK-46012); reached #7 on the US Contemporary Jazz charts.

THE COLLECTION (1990)
Vulcan Princess / Journey To Love / Silly Putty / Stories To Tell / School Days / Quiet Afternoon / The Dancer / Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly / Jamaican Boy / I Wanna Play For You / Off The Planet / Time Exposure / Hideaway / Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Compilation released on CD and cassette in 1990 in the UK and France (Castle, CCSMC/CCSCD-242).

LIVE 1976-1977 (1991)
Live tracks: School Days / Lopsy Lu / Quiet Afternoon / Silly Putty / Dayride / Bass Folk Song No. 3 / The Magician / Desert Song / Vulcan Princess. Released on CD on September 10, 1991 in the US (Epic, 48529).

EAST RIVER DRIVE (1993)
Justice’s Groove / Fantasy Love / Zabadoobeedi (Yabadoobeeda!) / East River Drive / I’m Home Africa / Theme From Boyz N The Hood / Christmas In Rio / What If I Forget The Champagne / Never Lose Your Heart/There Lies The Passion / Illegal / Lord of The Low Frequencies / Funk In Its Own Reward. Released on CD on August 3, 1993 in Japan (Epic, 8010577827) and on August 24, 1993 in the US (Epic, 47489); reached #4 on the US Contemporary Jazz charts.

Fantasy Love (1993)
Released as promotional CD single in 1993 in the US (Epic, 5311).

East River Drive (1993)
Released as promotional CD single in 1993 in the US (Epic, 5381) featuring Radio Edit version of “East River Drive.”

Justice’s Groove (1993)
Released as promotional CD single in 1993 in the US (Epic, 77218).

LIVE AT THE GREEK (1994)
Live tracks: Minute By Minute / Stratus / Buenos Aires / All Blues / Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Her Favorite Song / School Days. Co-credited to Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Deron Johnson and Najee, released on CD on July 12, 1994 in the US (Epic, 57506); reached #10 on the US Contemporary Jazz charts.

THE RITE OF STRINGS (1995)
Indigo / Renaissance / Song To John / Chilean Pipe Song / Topanga / Morocco / Change of Life / La Cancion de Sofia / Memory Canyon. Released on CD on August 1, 1995 in the US (IRS, 34167); reached #4 on the US Contemporary Jazz charts.

AT THE MOVIES (1995)
Passenger 57 Main Title / Lisa / Justice’s Groove / Lucky Again / Father And Son / Theme From Boyz N The Hood / Grandpa’s Theme / Higher Learning Main Title / The Learning Curve / Anna Mae / Capital/Naty’s Theme / Meeting / Deja’s Theme / Black On Black Crime / Max’s Theme. Released on CD on August 8, 1995 in the US (Epic Soundtrax, 67286).

“B.A.P.S.” ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK (1997)
No One But You / Move On / Get Down On It / Get Your Groove On / Giddy Up Let’s Ride / Fifth of Beethoven / I’m So Glad / Will / Let’s Meet Isaac / Nisi At Peace / Welcome To L.A. / Variation On “Forever” / Problem With Mr. B / Mr. B Dies / Dreams. Released on CD on March 25, 1997 in the US.

THE BASS-IC COLLECTION (1997)
Scool Days / Wild Dog / We Supply / Mothership Connection (Star Child) / Journey To Love / Hello Jeff / I Wanna Play For You / Silly Putty / Hot Fun / Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly / Jamaican Boy / Lost In A Thought / Between Love & Magic / Life Suite. Compilation released on CD on October 28, 1997 in the US (Epic, 64277).

Between Love & Magic (1997)
b/w Lost In A Thought. Released on CD single in 1997 in the US (Epic, 7571) with both tracks featured in Radio Edit versions.

THIS IS JAZZ #41 (1998)
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Desert Song / Quiet Afternoon (live) / Song To John (Part I) / Song To John (Part II) / Christmas In Rio / Spanish Phases For String And Bass / What If I Forget The Champagne / All Blues (live). Compilation released on CD on April 28, 1998 in the US (Epic, 65452).

HOT FUN: STANLEY CLARKE BEST (1999)
Compilation released on CD on June 14, 1999 in Germany (Zound).

JAZZ STRAIGHT UP (2002)
Lover Man / Mack The Knife / Salt Peanuts / I Mean You / Now’s The Time / Take Five / Jeru / Manteca / Oleo / Perdido. Co-credited to Ndugu Chancler and Patrice Rushen, released on CD on Jaunary 15, 2002 in the US (Vertical Jazz) and on January 9, 2003 in the Netherlands (Veja, 55022).

1, 2, TO THE BASS (2003)
1, 2, To The Bass / Simply Said / Where Is The Love / Anna (She Loves The Good Life) / Los Caballos (The Horses) / Just Cruzin’ / ‘Bout The Bass / Hair / Touch / All The Children (Todos Los Ninos) / I Shall Not Be Moved / Shanti, Peace, Shalom, Paz. Released on CD on April 15, 2003 in the US (Epic, 67346); reached #6 on the US Contemporary Jazz charts.

JAZZ STANDARDS (2004)
Oleo / Blue Rondo ‘A La Turk / When I Fall In Love / I Could Have Danced All Night / Foggy Day / Jeru / The Very Thought of You / Straight No Chaser / When The Sun Comes Out / I’ve Got Rhythm / Manteca / Right As The Rain / Where Or When // Salt Peanuts / Cute / Angel Eyes / On A Clear Day You Can See Forever / I’ve Got You Under My Skin / Perdido / Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good / I Love You Porgy / I Concentrate On You / Cakewalk / Lush Life / Surrey With The Fringe On Top. Co-credited to David Benoit, Pete Christlieb, Patrice Rushen, Paul Smith, Phil Woods, and released on 2CD on April 26, 2004 in Europe (Retro, R2CD-4283).

GUITAR & BASS (2004)
Spanish Phases For String & Bass / Play The Bass 10 / Power / Life Suite Part IV / School Days / Justice’s Groove / Zabadoobeede? (Yabadoobeeda!) / Illegal / Lords of The Low Frequencies / Journey To Love / Hideaway / Jamaican Boy / Hot Fun / Silly Putty / Lopsy Lu / Vulcan Princess. Compilation released on CD on November 30, 2004 in France (Sony, SMM-517119).

BASS DAYS (2006)
Sweet Baby / Future Shock / Speedball / School Days / Journey To Love / Hot Fun / Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Funk Is Its Own Reward / Wild Dog / Minute By Minute (live). Compilation released on CD on January 31, 2006 (Sony Special Products).

THE TOYS OF MEN (2007)
The Toys of Men / Come On / Jerusalem / Back In The Woods / All Over Again / Hmm Hmm / Bad Asses / Game / La Cancion de Sofia / El Baja Negro / Broski / Chateauvallon 1972 / Bass Folk Song No.6. Released on CD on October 16, 2007 in the US (Heads Up).

THUNDER (2008)
Maestros de las Frecuencias Bajas / Thunder / Hillbillies On A Quiet Afternoon / Mongoose Walk / Los Tres Hermanos / Lopsy Lu/Silly Putty / Milano / Classical Thump (Jam) / Tutu / Lil’ Victa / Pendulum / “Lemme Try Your Bass” (Interlude) / Grits. Co-credited to Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten (as S.M.V.) and released on CD on August 12, 2008 in the US (Heads Up).

JAZZ IN THE GARDEN (2009)
Paradigm Shift (Election Day 2008) / Sakura Sakura / Sicilian Blue / Take The Coltrane / 3 Wrong Notes / Someday My Prince Will Come / Isotope / Bass Folk Song No. 5 & 6 / Global Tweak / Solar / Brain Training / Under The Bridge. Credited to The Stanley Clarke Trio and released on CD on April 15, 2009 in the US (Heads Up); reached #12 on the US Jazz charts.

THE STANLEY CLARKE BAND (2010)
Soldier / Fulani / Here’s Why Tears Dry / I Wanna Play For You Too / Bass Folk Song No.10 / No Mystery / How Is The Weather Up There? / Larry Has Traveled 11 Miles And Waited A Lifetime For The Return of Vishnu’s Report / Labyrinth / Sonny Rollins / Bass Folk Song No.6 (Mo Anam Cara). Released on CD on June 15, 2010 in the US (Heads Up); reached #7 on the US Jazz charts and won the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.