Record Reviews

CHICK COREA ~ INNER SPACE ATLANTIC 81304 (Barcode: 075678130427) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 1988 This is a compillation of the material Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist recorded for AtlanticFind albums on this label, including his first album as a leader from 1966, called Tones For Joan`s BonesFind albums with this title (less 2 tunes) and some additional material from a 1968 session with Hubert LawsFind albums by this artist. Corea`s quintet with Joe FarrelFind albums by this artistl (sax), Woody ShawFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist (bass) and Joe ChambersFind albums by this artist (drums) soars through a set of Chick`s brilliant compositions with finese and elegance. The leader demonstrates his impeckable technique and incredible feel for melody, which will make him a jazz and fusion superstar in years to come. Brilliant!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CHICK COREA ~ TONES FOR JOAN`S BONES RHINO 75352 (Barcode: 081227535223) ~ USA ~ Jazz The 1966 debut album by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist (recently re-mastered on RhinoFind albums on this label and originally released on a small label called VortexFind albums on this label, which belonged to AtlanticFind albums on this label). Chick leads a quintet with Woody ShawFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist on sax, Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist on bass and veteran Master Joe ChambersFind albums by this artist on drums (Farrell will of course return and play with Chick many more times later, including the first version of Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist). The music – composed by Chick except one tune by Kurt WeillFind albums by this artist – is basically Hard Bop with a distinct Latin tinge, which of course is hardly surprising as Chick paid his dues playing in several Latin bands led by Mongo SantamariaFind albums by this artist, Willie BoboFind albums by this artist, etc. His stint with Stan GetzFind albums by this artist also included a lot of Latin influenced material (Steve also comes from Stan’s band). The album lost none of its power and excitement over the years and is a damn good listen. To get the complete session I recommend the Inner SpaceFind albums with this title CD as a companion.

Updated: 12/06/2018Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JOE ZAWINUL ~ ZAWINUL ATLANTIC 81375 (Barcode: 075678137525) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 1994 This sadly overlooked and almost forgotten masterpiece by Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist is one of the most pivotal recordings of the emerging Jazz-Rock Fusion movement. Following Zawinul’s stint with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist (with whom he recorded the timeless masterpiece In A Silent WayFind albums with this title), he was looking for a new environment to express his unique music vision, which combined his European classical music heritage and the American jazz tradition, spiced by the funky and rock rhythmic patterns. His vision was to be realized soon, when the greatest Fusion group of all times – Weather ReportFind albums by this artist – was formed just weeks after this album was recorded. In fact this album could (or rather should) be considered the first Weather Report album for several reasons: two soon to be Weather Report founding members – Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist (bass) and Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist (saxophone) take part in these sessions and the musical direction of the future group is basically all present here already. The main difference is that Zawinul decided to invite his ex-Davis partner Herbie Hancock to play along with him on this album, making it a double keyboards affair. The effect of two exceptional keyboards players soloing in tandem and in parallel creates a magic atmosphere, reminiscent of course of the Davis recordings. Other prominent musicians taking part in these sessions include the great Wood ShawFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Walter BookerFind albums by this artist on bass, Joe ChambersFind albums by this artist and Billy HartFind albums by this artist on drums, etc. All the performances are of course absolutely brilliant, with Vitous contributing some superb bow solos, which compliment the music perfectly. I have no idea why this album is not given its proper importance as a true classic, but in my book this is an absolutely essential piece of music.

Updated: 31/08/2021Posted:

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend