YELLOWJACKETS - Samurai Samba (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

T he hive is alive with the sound of saxophones, but it’s still all about the groove on Samurai Samba. Keyboardist Russell Ferrante chooses soft keyboard textures, the rhythm section of Haslip and Lawson keep things funky, and Russo’s saxophone comments on the action but doesn’t drive it the way he would on Shades. Otherwise, there’s not much that separates this Samba from their other moves: you have the crossover pop song (“Lonely Weekend”), intoxicating grooves (“Homecoming,” “Deat Beat”) and soulful, smooth jazz (“Daddy’s Gonna Miss You,” “Silverlake”). Since I’m naturally distrustful of jazz, I tend to watch a band that will slip a “Sylvania” and “Silverlake” onto the same album with a raised eyebrow. 

My tastes tend to run more traditional, which is to say I favor the sly dissonance of bop and its related offspring. Yellowjackets do that too, on the closing “Samurai Samba” of all places, but making an album with a little something for everyone only makes everyone a little happy. Of course, as I’ve said before, I have a big blind spot when it comes to jazz, and the ‘80s saw a transitional period where jazz, funk and pop music got swirled together into a kind of supermarket samba that initially attracted new listeners to jazz. If you ask me, the new listeners were people in silly turtlenecks with unpronounceable audiophile components (“The D is silent...”) who were convinced that jazz was the audio equivalent of wheat germ, but I don’t know why you would ask me. It is interesting, however, that jazz critics who would pore over every note recorded by Miles Davis or John Coltrane and gush at the achievements of Weather Report and Pat Metheny would seldom devote a fraction of the energy to breaking down the work of Yellowjackets or Tom Scott. But then I tend to lump jazz into one big bucket, and clearly there’s a little jazz elf at work in the bucket rolling some of the jazz grapes to one side and some to another. And that’s how I started with a hive analogy and ended up with a grape-rolling elf in a bucket. web

Tracklist:

1. Homecoming 5:13

Russell Ferrante

2. Deat Beat 5:25

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson / Marc Russo

3. Daddy's Gonna Miss You 4:33

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson / Marc Russo

4. Sylvania 4:14

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson

5. Silverlake 5:45

Russell Ferrante

6. Lonely Weekend 4:20

Bobby Caldwell / Joseph Curiale / Russell Ferrante / Ricky Lawson

7. Los Mambos 4:24

Paulinho Da Costa / Russell Ferrante / Marc Russo

8. Samurai Samba 5:18

Russell Ferrante

Credits:

Vocals – Bobby Caldwell, Carl Caldwell, Marilyn Scott, Paulinho Da Costa

Bass [5-string] – Jimmy Haslip

Drums, Drums [Electric] – Ricky Lawson

Guitar – Carlos Rios, Michael Landau

Keyboards – Russell Ferrante

Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa

Saxophone [Alto] – Marc Russo

YELLOWJACKETS - Lifecycle (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

If the Yellowjackets needed a guest guitarist, who would be the best person for the job? Pat Metheny would be an excellent choice, as would Al di Meola, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, or John Scofield. Well, the Yellowjackets did hire a guest guitarist for Lifecycle -- an excellent and well-known guitarist, in fact -- and they feature him extensively on this 2008 release. The guitarist is Mike Stern, who enjoys a strong rapport with the Yellowjackets' 2008 lineup: Russell Ferrante on acoustic piano and electric keyboards, Jimmy Haslip on electric bass, Bob Mintzer on tenor and soprano sax and bass clarinet, and Marcus Baylor on drums and percussion. Stern and the Yellowjackets are a perfectly logical combination -- especially in light of the hell-bent-for-jazz direction the Yellowjackets have favored since 1991's Greenhouse. With Greenhouse (which was Mintzer's first album with the outfit), Ferrante and Haslip made it clear that they wanted the Yellowjackets to be considered a serious, heavy-duty jazz combo instead of a group that pandered to smooth jazz stations. That isn't to say that the Yellowjackets' 1980s output lacks merit -- many of their '80s recordings are quite creative -- but with Greenhouse, Ferrante and Haslip really emphasized their Weather Report/Miles Davis/Return to Forever heritage. And that mindset continues to serve the Yellowjackets well 17 years later on Lifecycle. Jazz purists and bop snobs, of course, would argue that if you use electric instruments and have been influenced by rock or funk in any way, you aren't playing jazz, but the truth is that Stern and the Yellowjackets do bring a serious jazz improviser's mentality to engaging tracks like Haslip's bluesy "Country Living," Mintzer's mysterious "Falken's Maze," and Ferrante's probing, somewhat John Coltrane-ish "Measure of a Man." With its blend of electric and acoustic instruments, Lifecycle is relevant to both fusion and post-bop -- and it is also proof that collaborating with Stern was a very wise move for the Yellowjackets. by Alex Henderson

Tracklist:

1 Falken's Maze 6:25

Written-By – B. Mintzer

2 Country Living 6:24

Written-By – J. Haslip

3 Double Nickel 6:42

Written-By – M.Stern

4 Dreams Go 6:49

Written-By – M.Stern

5 Measure Of A Man 7:33

Written-By – R.Ferrante

6 Yahoo 4:52

Written-By – B. Mintzer

7 I Wonder 6:01

Written-By – B. Mintzer

8 3 Circles 7:30

Written-By – B. Mintzer, J. Haslip, M. Baylor, R.Ferrante

9 Claire's Closet 5:05

Written-By – R.Ferrante

10 Lazaro 5:15

Programmed By [Programming], Sequenced By [Sequencing] – Jimmy Haslip

Written-By – B. Mintzer, J. Haslip

Credits:

Marcus Baylor : Drums, Percussion

Russell Ferrante : Keyboards, Percussion, Piano

Jimmy Haslip : Bass (Electric), 

Bob Mintzer : Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)

Jerry Mitkowski : Piano Technician

Mike Stern : Featured Guitar 

KEITH JARRETT TRIO - Tokyo '96 (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded in Tokyo's Orchard Hall before Japanese royalty and a packed house -- and released two years later while Keith Jarrett was out of action suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome -- the standards trio lives up to its formidable track record of consistency and then some. Jarrett and perennial cohorts Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette are, if anything, even sharper, swinging harder and more attuned to each other than ever. There was a stronger Latin subtext in Tokyo that night than usual; "I'll Remember April" opens with a long, spare drum solo and becomes a high-spirited calypso-flavored workout, and "Last Night When We Were Young" segues into a Jarrett boogaloo improv called "Caribbean Sky." Two bop standards touch off further electric sparks; there is a joyously funky "Billie's Bounce," and Jarrett really puts all of Bud Powell's imitators in the shade with his right-handed prowess on "John's Abbey." Even those who have assiduously collected all of the standards trio's voluminous output will find Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette speaking to them in fresh ways here. by Richard S. Ginell

Tracklist:

1 It Could Happen To You 11:39

Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Burke

2 Never Let Me Go 6:45

Written-By – Jay Livingston / Ray Evans

3 Billie's Bounce 8:07

Written-By – Charlie Parker

4 Summer Night 7:38

Written-By – Al Dubin, Harry Warren 

5 I'll Remember April 10:20

Written-By – Don Raye, Gene De Paul, Patricia Johnston

6 Mona Lisa 3:02

Written-By – Jay Livingston / Ray Evans

7 Autumn Leaves 7:44

Written-By – Jacques Prevert, Joseph Kosma

8 Last Night When We Were Young / Caribbean Sky 9:34

8.1 Last Night When We Were Young

Written-By – E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen

8.2 Caribbean Sky

Written-By – Keith Jarrett

9 John's Abbey 5:50

Written-By – Bud Powell

10 My Funny Valentine / Song 7:16

10.1 My Funny Valentine / Song 10.2 ­

Written-By – Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart

Written-By – Keith Jarrett

Credits:

Bass – Gary Peacock

Drums – Jack DeJohnette

Piano – Keith Jarrett

Producer [Album Produced By] – Manfred Eicher

ECM 1666

Recorded live March 30, 1996

at Orchard Hall, Tokyo

WEATHER REPORT - Weather Report (1971-2014) RM / Jazz Collection 1000 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here we have the free-floating, abstract beginnings of Weather Report, which would define the state of the electronic jazz/rock art from its first note almost to its last. Their first album is a direct extension of the Miles Davis In a Silent Way/Bitches Brew period, more fluid in sound and more volatile in interplay. Joe Zawinul ruminates in a delicate, liquid manner on Rhodes electric piano; at this early stage, he used a ring modulator to create weird synthesizer-like effects. Wayne Shorter's soprano sax shines like a beacon amidst the swirling ensemble work of co-founding bassist Miroslav Vitous, percussionist Airto Moreira, and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Zawinul's most memorable theme is "Orange Lady" (previously recorded, though uncredited, by Davis on Big Fun), while Shorter scores on "Tears" and "Eurydice." One of the most impressive debuts of all time by a jazz group. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1 Milky Way 2:30
Written-By – J. Zawinul, W. Shorter
2 Umbrellas 3:24
Written-By – J. Zawinul, M. Vitous, W. Shorter 
3 Seventh Arrow 5:20
Written-By – M. Vitous
4 Orange Lady 8:40
Written-By – J. Zawinul
5 Morning Lake 4:23
Written-By – M. Vitous
6 Waterfall 6:18
Written-By – J. Zawinul
7 Tears 3:22
Written-By – W. Shorter
8 Eurydice 5:43
Written-By – W. Shorter
Créditos
Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Alphonze Mouzon
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Piano, Keyboards – Joe Zawinul
Saxophone – Wayne Shorter

WEATHER REPORT - I Sing The Body Electric (1972-2014) Jazz Collection 1000 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Like the weather itself, this band would assume a new shape with virtually every release -- and this album, half recorded in the studio and half live in Tokyo, set the pattern of change. Exit Airto Moreira and Alphonse Mouzon; enter percussionist Dom Um Romao, drummer Eric Gravatt, and a slew of cameo guests like guitarist Ralph Towner, flutist Hubert Laws, and others. The studio tracks are more biting, more ethnically diverse in influence, and more laden with electronic effects and grandiose structural complexities than before. The live material (heard in full on the import Live in Tokyo) is even fiercer and showcases for the first time some of the tremendous drive WR was capable of, though it doesn't give you much of an idea of its stream of consciousness nature. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1 Unknown Soldier 7:57
Written-By – J. Zawinul
2 The Moors 4:49
Written-By – W. Shorter
3 Crystal 7:23
Written-By – M. Vitous
4 Second Sunday In August 4:04
Written-By – J. Zawinul
Medley: (10:45)
5.1 Vertical Invader
Written-By – J. Zawinul
5.2 T.H.
Written-By – M. Vitous
5.3 Dr. Honoris Causa
Written-By – J. Zawinul
6 Surucucú 7:46
Written-By – W. Shorter
7 Directions 4:37
Written-By – J. Zawinul
Credits:
Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Eric Gravátt
Flute – Hubert Laws, Jr. (tracks: 1)
Keyboards [Electric, Acoustic] – Joe Zawinul
Percussion – Dom Um Romao (tracks: 2)
Reeds – Wayne Shorter
Trumpet [D Trumpet], Piccolo Trumpet – Wilmer Wise (tracks: 1)
Twelve-String Guitar [12-String Guitar] – Ralph Towner (tracks: 2)
Vocals [Singers] – Chapman Roberts (tracks: 1), Joshie Armstrong (tracks: 1), Yolande Bavan (tracks: 1)

WEATHER REPORT - Live In Tokyo (1972-2007) RM / 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While side two of I Sing the Body Electric gives us heavily edited glimpses of Weather Report as heard live in Tokyo, this two-disc Japanese import contains entire group ensembles from that concert -- and as such, it is a revelation. Now we can follow the wild, stream-of-consciousness evolution of early Weather Report workouts, taking the listener into all kinds of stylistic territory -- from Joe Zawinul's lone acoustic piano to dissonant free form and electronic explosions -- with lots of adjustments of tempo and texture. The pulse of jazz is more evident in their work here than on their American albums, and the example of Miles Davis circa the Fillmore concerts directs the fierce interplay. In his subsequent recordings with Weather Report, and as a leader, Wayne Shorter would rarely equal the manic intensity he displayed in Tokyo. All of the music is encapsulated in five lengthy "medleys" of WR's repertoire, three of which contain elongated versions of themes from the group's eponymously titled debut album from 1971. This would be the radical apogee of Weather Report on records, though they could retain this level of fire in concert for years to come. by Richard S. Ginell 
Tracklist:
1-1 Medley: Vertical Invader - Seventh Arrow - T. H. - Doctor Honoris Causa 26:12
Written-By [Doctor Honoris Causa] – J. Zawinul
Written-By [Seventh Arrow] – M. Vitous
Written-By [T. H.] – M. Vitous
Written-By [Vertical Invader] – J. Zawinul
1-2 Medley: Surucucu - Lost - Early Minor - Direction 19:08
Written-By [Direction] – J. Zawinul 

Written-By [Early Minor] – J. Zawinul
Written-By [Lost] – W. Shorter
Written-By [Surucucu] – W. Shorter
2-1 Orange Lady 18:10
Written-By – J. Zawinul
2-2 Medley: Eurydice - The Moors 13:42
Written-By [Eurydice] – W. Shorter
Written-By [The Moors] – W. Shorter
2-3 Medley: Tears - Umbrellas 10:26
Written-By [Tears] – W. Shorter
Written-By [Umbrellas] – J. Zawinul, W. Shorter
Credits:
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Electric Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Eric Gravatt
Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – Joe Zawinul
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter

WEATHER REPORT - Sweetnighter (1973-2007) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Right from the start, a vastly different Weather Report emerges here, one that reflects co-leader Joe Zawinul's developing obsession with the groove. It is the groove that rules this mesmerizing album, leading off with the irresistible 3/4 marathon deceptively tagged as the "Boogie Woogie Waltz" and proceeding through a variety of Latin-grounded hip-shakers. It is a record of discovery for Zawinul, who augments his Rhodes electric piano with a funky wah-wah pedal, unveils the ARP synthesizer as a melodic instrument and sound-effects device, and often coasts along on one chord. The once fiery Wayne Shorter has been tamed, for he now contributes mostly sustained ethereal tunes on soprano sax, his tone sometimes doubled for a pleasing octave effect. The wane of freewheeling ensemble interplay is more than offset by the big increase in rhythmic push; bassist Miroslav Vitous, drummer Eric Gravatt, and percussionist Dom Um Romao are now cogs in one of jazz's great swinging machines. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1    Boogie Woogie Waltz 13:04
Bells, Tambourine, Percussion [Chucalho] – Dom Um Romao
Composed By – J. Zawinul
Drums – Herschel Dwellingham
Drums [Moroccan Clay] – Maruga
Electric Bass – Andrew White, Miroslav Vitous
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Synthesizer, Electric Piano – Josef Zawinul
2    Manolete 5:56
Acoustic Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By – W. Shorter
Drums – Eric Gravatt, Herschel Dwellingham
Drums [Moroccan Clay], Timpani, Cymbal [Splash] – Maruga
Electric Piano, Piano, Synthesizer – Josef Zawinul
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
3    Adios 3:00
Composed By – J. Zawinul
Electric Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Electric Piano – Josef Zawinul
English Horn – Andrew White
Instruments [Roller Toy] – Maruga
Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
4    125th Street Congress 12:14
Acoustic Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By – J. Zawinul
Drum [Israeli Jar] – Maruga
Drums – Herschel Dwellingham
Drums [Intro] – Eric Gravatt
Electric Bass – Andrew White
Electric Piano – Josef Zawinul
Pandeiro, Cuica, Instruments [Tamanco], Percussion [Chucalho], Gong, Tambourine, Cowbell – Dom Um Romao
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
5    Will 6:21
Caxixi [Cachichi], Wood Block, Percussion [Chucalho] – Dom Um Romao
Composed By – M. Vitous
Electric Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Electric Piano – Josef Zawinul
English Horn – Andrew White
Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
6    Non-Stop Home 3:54
Bass – Andrew White
Composed By – W. Shorter
Drums – Herschel Dwellingham
Percussion, Percussion [Yaibis-stone], Tom Tom [Chinese], Cymbal, Instruments [Castanhola], Gong, Wood Block, Caxixi, Flute [Wood], Tambourine – Dom Um Romao
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Synthesizer, Piano – J. Zawinul

WEATHER REPORT - Mysterious Traveller (1974-1997) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Weather Report's fourth recording finds Wayne Shorter (on soprano and tenor) taking a lesser role as Joe Zawinul begins to really dominate the group's sound. Most selections also include bassist Alphonso Johnson and drummer Ishmael Wilburn although the personnel shifts from track to track. "Nubian Sundance" adds several vocalists while "Blackthorn Rose" is a Shorter-Zawinul duet. Overall the music is pretty stimulating and sometimes adventurous; high-quality fusion from 1974. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Nubian Sundance 10:40
Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Composed By – J. Zawinul
Drums – Ishmael Wilburn
Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals, Percussion – Josef Zawinul
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
2 American Tango 3:40
Bass – Alphonso Johnson, Miroslav Vitous
Composed By – J. Zawinul, M. Vitous
Drums – Ishmael Wilburn
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – Josef Zawinul
Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
3 Cucumber Slumber 8:22
Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Composed By – A. Johnson, J. Zawinul
Drums – Ishmael Wilburn
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – Josef Zawinul
Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
4 Mysterious Traveller 7:21
Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Composed By – W. Shorter
Drums – Ishmael Wilburn, Skip Hadden
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Josef Zawinul
Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Piano, Instruments [Sea Shell] – Wayne Shorter
5 Blackthorn Rose 5:01
Composed By – W. Shorter
Piano, Melodica – Josef Zawinul
Sopranino Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
6 Scarlet Woman 5:45
Bass – Alphonso Johnson
Composed By – A. Johnson, J. Zawinul, W. Shorter
Drums, Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – Josef Zawinul
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
7 Jungle Book 7:24
Composed By – J. Zawinul
Drums, Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – Josef Zawinul
Tabla, Finger Cymbals – Isacoff
- Bonus Track -
8 Miroslav's Tune (未発表曲) 5:25
Bass – Alphonso Johnson, Miroslav Vitous
Composed By – M. Vitous
Drums – Ishmael Wilburn
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – Josef Zawinul
Percussion – Dom Um Romao
Soprano Saxophone – Wayne Shorter

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

WEATHER REPORT - Black Market (1976-2007) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The shifts in Weather Report's personnel come fast and furious now, with Narada Michael Walden and Chester Thompson as the drummers, Alex Acuna and Don Alias at the percussion table, and Alphonso Johnson giving way to the mighty, martyred Jaco Pastorius. It is interesting to hear Pastorius expanding the bass role only incrementally over what the more funk-oriented Johnson was doing at this early point -- that is, until "Barbary Coast," where suddenly Jaco leaps athletically forward into the spotlight. Joe Zawinul or just Zawinul, as he preferred to be billed -- contributed all of side one's compositions, mostly Third World-flavored workouts except for "Cannon Ball," a touching tribute to his ex-boss Cannonball Adderley (who had died the year before). Shorter, Pastorius, and Johnson split the remainder of the tracks, with Shorter now set in a long-limbed compositional mode for electric bands that would serve him into the 1990s. While it goes without saying that most Weather Report albums are transition albums, this diverse record is even more transient than most, paving the way for WR's most popular period while retaining the old sense of adventure. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist:
1 Black Market 6:31
Written-By – J. Zawinul
2 Cannon Ball 4:36
Written-By – J. Zawinul
3 Gibraltar 7:47
Written-By – J. Zawinul
4 Elegant People 5:03
Written-By – W. Shorter
5 Three Clowns 3:22
Written-By – W. Shorter
6 Barbary Coast 3:07
Written-By – J. Pastorius
7 Herandnu 6:35
Written-By – A. Johnson
Credits:
Congas, Percussion – Arejandro Neciosup Acuna, Don Alias
Drums – Narada Michael Walden
Drums [Ludwig] – Chester Thompson
Electric Bass [Fender, Charles La Boe], Instruments [Qertu] – Alphonso Johnson
Electric Bass [Fender] – Jaco Pastorius
Saxophone [Selmer Tenor, Soprano], Lyricon [By Computone] – Wayne Shorter
Synthesizer [2 Arp 2600, Oberheim Polyphonic], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Grand Piano [Yamaha] – Joe Zawinul

WEATHER REPORT - Mr. Gone (1978-1991) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Mr. Gone, Weather Report becomes merely a cover name for a Joe Zawinul/Jaco Pastorius jazz/rock/funk record production, with several guest drummers (Steve Gadd, Tony Williams, Peter Erskine), no resident percussionist, and Wayne Shorter as a still-potent solo saxophone threat. This album was denounced in its time as a sellout, probably on the reputation of Jaco's pulsating "River People," which is as close as WR ever came to outright disco. But there is lots of diversity and adventure here, as the creative core of the band uses the latest electronics to push out the boundaries of sound while maintaining tight control over structure. "The Pursuit of the Woman with the Feathered Hat" is quintessential Zawinul; the Third World-centered groove is everything, no chord changes to impede this rush of layered electronics, percussion, and voices. Shorter's spare "The Elders" flirts with the electronic avant-garde and he retrofits his Miles Davis-era "Pinocchio" in rapid-fire electro-acoustic garb. In other words, the multi-flavored WR stew continues to cook at a fine boil. by Richard S. Ginell

Tracklist:

1 The Pursuit Of The Woman With The Feathered Hat 5:00

Composed By, Arranged By – Zawinul

Vocals – Manolo Badrena

2 River People 4:49

Composed By, Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius

3 Young And Fine 6:54

Composed By, Arranged By – Josef Zawinul

Drums – Steve Gadd

4 The Elders 4:20

Arranged By – Josef Zawinul

Composed By – Wayne Shorter

5 Mr. Gone 5:20

Composed By, Arranged By – Josef Zawinul

Drums – Tony Williams

6 Punk Jazz 5:07

Composed By, Arranged By – Jaco Pastorius

Drums – Tony Williams

7 Pinocchio 2:25

Composed By, Arranged By – Wayne Shorter

8 And Then 3:20

Composed By, Arranged By – Josef Zawinul

Drums – Steve Gadd

Lyrics By – Sam Guest

Vocals – Deniece Williams, Maurice White

Credits:

Bass, Drums – Jaco Pastorius

Drums – Peter Erskine (tracks: 1,3,7)

Keyboards – Joe Zawinul

Saxophone – Wayne Shorter

WEATHER REPORT - 8:30 (1979-1994) RM / FLAC (tracks), lossless

Weather Report is generally regarded as the greatest jazz fusion band of all time, with the biggest jazz hit ("Birdland") from the best jazz fusion album (1977's Heavy Weather). But the group's studio mastery sometimes overshadows the fact that it was also a live juggernaut -- so don't overlook the outstanding live and studio album from 1979, 8:30. This was a rare quartet version of Weather Report, with co-leaders in keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. The bassist was the inimitable Jaco Pastorius, the drummer a young Peter Erskine. Pastorius is otherworldly on early gems like "Black Market," the breakneck "Teen Town," and his solo showcase, "Slang" (in which he quotes Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun"). Shorter is most involved on the CD's slower pieces like "A Remark You Made," "In a Silent Way," and his own solo piece, "Thanks for the Memory"; Zawinul and Erskine shine on the swinging version of "Birdland" and roller coaster ride of the "Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz" medley. Four studio tracks (composing what was side four of the original album version) close 8:30 with a flourish -- and some surprises. Pastorius duets on drums with Zawinul on the brief title track, then plays double drums with Erskine (as Erich Zawinul plays percussion) on the playful "Brown Street." Zawinul then throws a curve with "The Orphan," dueting with Shorter as ten members of the West Los Angeles Christian Academy Children's Choir chant harmonies. The saxophonist gets in the last word, though, with his burning composition "Sightseeing" -- on which he plays unison lines with Zawinul over Pastorius' rare walking bassline and Erskine's most aggressive drumming. A future jazz standard ending one of this band's standard-setting CDs. by Bill Meredith  
Tracklist:
1 Black Market 9:47
Written-By – J. Zawinul
2 Teen Town 6:03
Written-By – J. Pastorius
3 A Remark You Made 8:01
Written-By – J. Zawinul
4 Slang 4:45
Written-By – J. Pastorius
5 In A Silent Way 2:52
Written-By – J. Zawinul
6 Birdland 6:58
Written-By – J. Zawinul
7 Thanks For The Memory 3:33
Written-By – L. Robin, R. Rainger
8 Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley 9:28
Written-By – J. Zawinul
9 8:30 2:36
Written-By – J. Zawinul
10 Brown Street 8:34
Written-By – J. Zawinul, W. Shorter
11 The Orphan 3:16
Vocals – Ten Members Of The West Los Angeles Christian Academy Children's Choir
Written-By – J. Zawinul
12 Sightseeing 5:35
Written-By – W. Shorter
Créditos
Bass – Jaco Pastorius
Drums – Jaco Pastorius (tracks: 9, 10), Peter Erskine (tracks: 1 to 8, 11, 12)
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Joe Zawinul
Percussion – Erich Zawinul, Peter Erskine
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter

WEATHER REPORT - Night Passage (1980-1991) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

All things being relative, this is Weather Report's straightahead album, where the elaborate production layers of the late-'70s gave way to sparer textures and more unadorned solo improvisation in the jazz tradition, electric instruments and all. The flaw of this album is the shortage of really memorable compositions; it is more of a vehicle for the virtuosic feats of what is considered by some to be the classic WR lineup -- Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Robert Thomas, Jr. and Peter Erskine. For Erskine, this is is first full studio album and he amply demonstrates his terrific sense of forward drive unique among the other superb drummers in WR annals. "Port of Entry" is a tour de force for Jaco, who knocks off several of those unbelievably slippery, pointed runs that have made him a posthumous legend. There is also a tremendously fun retro trip to Duke Ellington's "Rockin' in Rhythm," everybody swinging their heads and hands off. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist:
1 Night Passage 6:30
Written-By – J. Zawinul
2 Dream Clock 6:26
Written-By – J. Zawinul
3 Port Of Entry 5:09
Written-By – W. Shorter
4 Forlorn 3:55
Written-By – J. Zawinul
5 Rockin' In Rhythm 3:02
Written-By – D. Ellington, H. Carney, I. Mills
6 Fast City 6:17
Written-By – J. Zawinul
7 Three Views Of A Secret 5:50
Written-By – J. Pastorius
8 Madagascar 10:56
Written-By – J. Zawinul
Credits:
Bass – Jaco Pastorius
Drums – Peter Erskine
Drums [Hand Drums] – Robert Thomas, Jr.
Keyboards – Zawinul
Saxophone [Saxophones] – Wayne Shorter

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Magical Shepherd (1976-2003) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Magical Shepherd was Weather Report bassist Miroslav Vitous' fourth effort as a leader, released after he left the band. It's a deep, raw, funky fusion record that features -- besides one of the most hideously stupid covers imaginable -- appearances by Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, drummer James Gadson, and percussionist Airto. Vocalists Cheryl Grainger and Onike contribute as well, making this as much a basement-party and groove record as a jazz one. Vitous played as much synth as Hancock on this set and took it to the limit on "Basic Laws," a nearly 12-minute excursion into space funk with all the grease attached. The nine-and-a-half-minute "New York City" was vying to be produced by Giorgio Moroder as a disco slab, while the completely gone singing on the title track made it a precursor to Sun Ra's Lanquidity album a few years later. (Imagine Star Trek doing the "Space Is the Place" episode brought to you by T.J. Swan or Boogie Down Wine.) While this album is very much a product of it's time, that doesn't make it bad -- not by a long shot. Magical Shepherd is one of the better, darker, and weirder fuzak albums of the time. There is no soul-jazz here -- this is pedal-to-the-metal, booty-grindin' R&B crossed with edgy monitors bleeding into the red-jamming and dark-angel vocals, sending the whole thing off into the stratosphere. This Wounded Bird reissue on CD sounds fantastic and, while there are no extra tracks, you don't need them. For anyone interested in the wilder, woolier music of the mid-'70s, Magical Shepherd holds up exceedingly well. by Thom Jurek  
Tracklist:
1 Basic Laws 11:47
Bass, Guitar Synthesizer – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – James Gadson
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Clavinet, Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey and String Ensemble] – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Vocals – Cheryl Grainger, Onike
2 New York City 9:32
Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer [Mini Moog] – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – James Gadson
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Clavinet, Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey and String Ensemble] – Herbie Hancock
Vocals – Cheryl Grainger, Onike
3 Synthesizers Dance 5:09
Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer [Mini Moog] – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey] – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Airto Moreira
4 Magical Shepherd 6:09
Bass, Guitar – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Arp String Ensemble] – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Vocals – Cheryl Grainger, Onike
5 From Far Away 2:30
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Guitar, Synthesizer [Mini Moog, Arp String Ensemble] – Miroslav Vitous
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Vocals – Cheryl Grainger
6 Aim Your Eye 6:58
Bass, Guitar Synthesizer – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – James Gadson
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Arp Odyssey and String Ensemble] – Herbie Hancock
Vocals – Cheryl Grainger, Onike
Credits:

Drums – Jack DeJohnette, James Gadson

Electric Piano [Rhodes], Clavinet, Synthesizer – Herbie Hancock
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Synthesizer [Synthesizer, Mini Moog], Bass, Guitar – Miroslav Vitous
Vocals – Cheryl Grainger, Onike

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Majesty Music (1976-2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vitous is often at his best when the usual band dynamic is inverted so that his fellow band members fade back to become a mere accompaniment to his bass soloing. This release continued the high quality of Vitous's previous solo work, and while not every track is memorable, the floating dissonance of "Streams and Fields" and the frenzied bowed bass over brittle staccato drums in "New Orleans" are both clear precursors to Vitous's superb work the next year with Jack DeJohnette and Terje Rypdal. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1 X Rated 3:26
Bass, Guitar Synthesizer [360 System] – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas – David Earl Johnson
Drums – Lenny White
Synthesizer [String Ensemble], Electric Piano, Vocals – Rimona Francis
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic
2 See You, November 3:31
Composed By – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas, Percussion – David Earl Johnson
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Synthesizer [String Ensemble, Mini Moog] – Miroslav Vitous
Tenor Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic
3 Majesty Music 4:35
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas – David Earl Johnson
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Piano [Acoustic] – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Gerry Brown
Synthesizer [String Ensemble], Electric Piano, Vocals – Rimona Francis
4 New Orleans 3:22
Alto Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Clavinet, Electric Bass, Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Synthesizer [Mini Moog] – Miroslav Vitous
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Lenny White
Electric Bass – Francesco Centeno
5 Do You, Don't You, Won't You ? 2:58
Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Composed By, Arranged By – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Soloist – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Lenny White
Electric Bass – Francesco Centeno
Electric Piano, Synthesizer [String Ensemble, Mini Moog] – Kenny Bichel
6 Best Friends 4:11
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas – David Earl Johnson
Drums – Gerry Brown
Guitar, Double Bass [Acoustic Bass] – Miroslav Vitous
Synthesizer [String Ensemble] – Rimona Francis
Tenor Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic
7 Streams And Fields 3:07
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas – David Earl Johnson
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Synthesizer [String Ensemble, Mini Moog] – Miroslav Vitous
Vocals, Synthesizer [String Ensemble], Electric Piano – Rimona Francis
8 Folks 4:31
Baritone Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas – David Earl Johnson
Drums – Bobby Goldman
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Synthesizer [String Ensemble], Double Bass [Acoustic Bass] – Miroslav Vitous
9 Mount Shasta (Part II) 3:50
Baritone Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Composed By, Arranged By – Miroslav Vitous
Congas – David Earl Johnson
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Synthesizer [String Ensemble, Mini Moog] – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Lenny White
10 Requiem For My Mother 5:09
Composed By, Arranged By – Jaroslav Jakubovic
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Synthesizer [String Ensemble] – Miroslav Vitous
Tenor Saxophone – Jaroslav Jakubovic

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Infinite Search (1969-1988) Jazz Best Collection 1000 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and Jack DeJohnette, this group rivaled the best fusion bands of the day. It must have been an intimidating challenge for a young Czech bassist to lead such a group on his debut album as a frontman, especially since he composed five of the six tracks. Recorded in late 1969, roughly the same time as the historic Bitches Brew, and the year before Vitous began a stint with the innovative Weather Report, this was trend-setting fusion. It's produced by Herbie Mann, for whom Vitous played on such albums as Memphis Underground and Stone Flute.by Mark Allan

Tracklist:

1. Freedom Jazz Dance 

Eddie Harris

2. Mountain In The Clouds

Miroslav Vitous

3. Epilogue

Miroslav Vitous

4. Cérecka

Miroslav Vitous

5. Infinite Search

Miroslav Vitous

6. I Will Tell Him On You

Miroslav Vitous

7. When Face Gets Pale

Miroslav Vitous

Credits

Miroslav Vitous-bass

Joe Henderson-tenor saxophone

Mahavishnu John McLaughlin-guitar

Herbie Hancock-electric piano

Jack DeJohnette-drums

Joe Chambers: drums on 3 y 4

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Miroslav (1977) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

1976-1977 sessions with Don Alias and Armen Halburian on percussion. Vitous overdubs bass and keyboards. A stunning musical trip through Afro-jazz texture music. "Tiger in the Rain" is absolutely captivating. by Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist:
1 Watching The Sunset Run 8:02
2 Bassamba 2:58
3 Tiger In The Rain 8:54
4 Concerto In E Minor 5:30
5 Pictures From Moravia 4:49
6 Sonata For A Dream 5:39
Percussion – Armen Halburian
Credits:
Acoustic Bass [Arco & Pizzicato], Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Mini-Moog, ARP String Ensemble], Composed By  – Miroslav Vitous
Congas, Bongos, Drums, Percussion – Don Alias (tracks: 1 to 5)

MIROSLAV VITOUS - Guardian Angels (1978-1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Miroslav Vitous has long been one of Europe's premier jazz bassists, while John Scofield is a great American guitarist. Their team-up yields music that is immaculately presented but often deficient in the energy and soul departments. That seems by design; such numbers as "Inner Peace" and "Shinkansen" have subdued arrangements, and the players carefully solo without ever straining or exerting themselves. At other times, Vitous and company move into more of a funk or upbeat style and seem even less sure. Vitous' bass work, especially his acoustic bowing, is marvelous, while Scofield plays in a sharp, concise, impressive manner, although without the characteristic edge and rock/blues stylings. by Ron Wynn
Tracklist:
1 His Meaning / Rising / Resolution 8:30
Written-By – Miroslav Vitous
2 Inner Peace 6:01
Written-By – Kenny Kirkland
3 Guardian Angels 5:45
Written-By – Miroslav Vitous
4 Off To Buffalo 5:07
Written-By – John Scofield
5 Eating It Raw 7:51
Written-By – John Scofield
6 Shinkansen 6:09
Written-By – Kenny Kirkland
Credits:
Bass, Electric Bass, Synthesizer [Mini-Moog, Solina String-ensemble] – Miroslav Vitous
Drums [Yamaha] – George Ohtsuke
Guitar – John Scofield
Music Director – Miroslav Vitous
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes, Yamaha CP-70 (electric grand)], Synthesizer [Yamaha CS-50 (polyphonic), Mini-Moog] – Kenny Kirkland
Soprano Saxophone – Mabumi Yamaguchi

TERJE RYPDAL / MIROSLAV VITOUS / JACK DeJOHNETTE - Terje Rypdal~Miroslav Vitous~Jack DeJohnette (1979-2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An otherworldly soundscape of aching beauty, this album is a must-have for aficionados of any member of this trio. Rypdal's guitar is hauntingly reverbed and distant throughout, though occasionally on "Seasons" he becomes too fond of caterwauling guitar synth. But this is truly an effort of trio fusion, with ineffable pieces like "Den Forste Sne" ("The First Snow") appearing and melting away without any tangible solos or structure. From the opening cymbal strikes of "Sunrise," this album is marked by DeJohnette's best drumming on record; his cymbal sound, pushed to the front and recorded with mikes both above and below the cymbal's bell -- "because that's how the drummer hears it" -- is nothing short of revelatory. Vitous' bass steadies Rypdal's flights of fancy, while his subtle electric piano lines float above. These elements combine most powerfully in "Believer," which builds from atmospheric shimmers of electric piano into a whorl of bass and plaintive guitar set against the dry rasp of resonating cymbals. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1 Sunrise 8:26
Written-By – Rypdal
2 Den Forste Sne 6:35
Written-By – Rypdal
3 Will 8:01
Written-By – Vitous
4 Believer 6:23
Written-By – Vitous
5 Flight 5:25
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
6 Seasons 7:22
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
Credits:
Double Bass, Electric Piano – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Organ – Terje Rypdal
Producer – Manfred Eicher

MIROSLAV VITOUS - First Meeting (1980) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This 1980 quartet session, unavailable in the U.S., features a young Kenny Kirkland on piano along with John Surman on soprano sax and bass clarinet and Jon Christensen on drums. Vitous wrote all but the title track, a tension-filled group improvisation. The dramatic "Silver Lake" begins the disc with rubato filigree and evolves into a driving yet impressionistic feel. "Beautiful Place To" follows, with its odd, Zen-like repeated melody, leading into "Trees," another rubato exploration with a short, precise melodic theme at its core. "Recycle," the album's high point, is prefaced by a beautiful piano and bass clarinet duo passage that sets the stage for hard-swinging improvisation. Vitous is unaccompanied on "Concerto in Three Parts," giving his warm, ardent arco style an extended feature (he bows throughout much of the disc as well). The lilting "You Make Me So Happy" serves as the finale. Recommended but hard to find, First Meeting documents the strength of Vitous' writing and playing and also yields a satisfying encounter with the late Kirkland, early in his career. by David R. Adler
Tracklist:
1 Silver Lake 10:49
Composed By – Miroslav Vitous
2 Beautiful Place To 5:06
Composed By – Miroslav Vitous
3 Trees 6:06
Composed By – Miroslav Vitous
4 Recycle 10:08
Composed By – Miroslav Vitous
5 First Meeting 4:44
Composed By – Surman, Christensen, Kirkland, Vitous
6 Concerto In Three Parts 5:28
Composed By – Miroslav Vitous
7 You Make Me So Happy 4:33
Composed By – Miroslav Vitous
Credits:
Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jon Christensen
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – John Surman