WEATHER REPORT - Tale Spinnin' (1975-2002) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Weather Report's ever-changing lineup shifts again, with the somewhat heavier funk-oriented Leon "Ndugu" Chancler dropping into the drummer's chair and Alyrio Lima taking over the percussion table. As a result, Tale Spinnin' has a weightier feel than Mysterious Traveller, while continuing the latter's explorations in Latin-spiced electric jazz/funk. Zawinul's pioneering interest in what we now call world music is more in evidence with the African percussion, wordless vocals, and sandy sound effects of "Badia," and his synthesizer sophistication is growing along with the available technology. Wayne Shorter's work on soprano sax is more animated than on the previous two albums and Alphonso Johnson puts his melodic bass more to the fore. While not quite as inventive as its two predecessors, this remains an absorbing extension of WR's mid-'70s direction.  by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1 Man In The Green Shirt 6:29
Drums, Timpani – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Melodica, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Tonto, ARP 2600] – Joe Zawinul
Percussion – Alyrio Lima
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Written-By – Josef Zawinul
2 Lusitanos 7:25
Drums, Timpani, Cymbal [Marching] – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Percussion – Alyrio Lima
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Tonto, ARP 2600], Organ – Joe Zawinul
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Written-By – Wayne Shorter
3 Between The Thighs 9:33
Drums, Timpani – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Percussion – Alyrio Lima
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Steel Drums, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Tonto, ARP 2600] – Joe Zawinul
Written-By – Josef Zawinul
4 Badia 5:21
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Oud, Melodica, Instruments [Muzthra], Vocals, Xylophone [West Africk], Piano [Acoustic] – Joe Zawinul
Percussion – Alyrio Lima
Written-By – Josef Zawinul
5 Freezing Fire 7:29
Drums – Ndugu
Electric Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Cymbal – Joe Zawinul
Percussion – Alyrio Lima
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Written-By – Wayne Shorter
6 Five Short Stories 6:55
Piano [Acoustic], Organ, Synthesizer [ARP 2600] – Joe Zawinul
Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Written-By – Josef Zawinul