Elektra Funk: Lenny White's Streamline Moment
A slick fusion record where White's drums drive everything, locked tight with electric organ and guitar trades.
Streamline hits you immediately with bright electric organ and synth, drums snapping underneath with crisp pocket precision. This is fusion at its most groove-oriented — no free-form wandering, just locked-in rhythm section work with guitar solos that stay melodic and radio-ready. Lenny White and Don Blackman on organ establish the pocket fast, and then Jamie Glaser and Nick Moroch take turns soloing over that foundation, trading clean, well-articulated phrases. Larry Dunn adds texture on Minimoog, keeping things shimmering without cluttering the mix.
By 1978, White was established as a serious fusion drummer — strong fundamentals, good taste in dynamics, and the ability to stay musical without showing off. Streamline doesn't reinvent anything, but it's competent and listenable, pitched directly at the fusion audience that had embraced Weather Report and Return to Forever. The album charted respectably in jazz circles and found its audience. AllMusic gave it three stars, which feels about right — solid work that executes its mandate without breaking new ground.
This isn't the record to start with if you want to understand White's range or his place in jazz fusion history. It's a professional mid-career session, tastefully produced for Elektra's commercial interests. If you dig crisp funk-fusion grooves with strong organ work and no pretense, it's worth hearing. Otherwise, his work with other ensembles shows more depth.
Who's playing
Jamie Glaserguitar, solo
Nick Morochguitar, solo
Don Blackmanorgan, solo
Larry DunnMinimoog, solo
Lenny Whitemembranophone, solo
