DIANNE REEVES — Art & Survival (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Versatility has gotten vocalist Dianne Reeves in trouble. Those who feel she could be a great jazz singer want her to stick to scat singing and interpreting show tunes; others who enjoyed the light fusion and urban contemporary hits prefer that she look toward the future. Reeves does a little of both on her this set. Art And Survival includes her most hard-hitting message songs to date. The only problem is that Reeves' voice doesn't lend itself to shouts or expressing defiance; she sounds strained on "Endangered Species" and seems more like she's presenting a diatribe than expounding on a theme. Overall, Art And Survival is neither '90s revisited bop nor overtly commercial Quiet Storm fodder. Dianne Reeves is really seeking a middle ground between her two audiences, and if everything here doesn't work, at least she keeps forging ahead. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1 Old Souls 5:20
Drums – Joey Heredia
Electric Bass [Fretless] – Jimmy Johnson 
Lyrics By, Music By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Percussion – Alex Acuna, Luis Conte, Munyungo Jackson
Piano [Acoustic] – John Beasley
Synth – Eddie del Barrio
2 Come To The River 5:36
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Guitar – Michael Thompson
Lyrics By, Music By – Diane Louie
Music By – Dianne Reeves
3 One More Time  5:37
Acoustic Bass – Andy Simpkins
Arranged By [String], Conductor – Jorge del Barrio
Concertmaster, Violin – Endre Granat
Contractor – Bill Hughes
Drums – Paul Kreibich
Lyrics By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Piano – Frank Collett
4 Anthem 5:26
Arranged By, Conductor – Diane Louie
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Guitar – Charles 'Icarus' Johnson
Lyrics By, Music By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – David Torkanowsky
Percussion – Luis Conte
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – David Torkanowsky
5 Freedom Dance 6:55
Backing Vocals – Dianne Reeves
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Guitar – John Pisano
Lyrics By – Jeanne Pisano
Lyrics By, Music By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Percussion – Luis Conte
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – David Torkanowsky
Soprano Saxophone [Solo] – Steve Tavaglione
Synth – Eddie del Barrio
6 Endangered Species 3:23
Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Backing Vocals] – Dianne Reeves
Drums [Trap] – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Lyrics By – Jeanne Pisano
Music By – Dianne Reeves
Percussion – Alex Acuna, Luis Conte, Munyungo Jackson
7 Josa Lee 6:54
Acoustic Bass – John Patitucci
Arranged By [Music], Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Arranged By [Strings, Music] – Eddie del Barrio
Lyrics By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio, Terri Lyne Carrington
Piano [Acoustic] – John Beasley
Programmed By – Erik Hanson
Trumpet – Ralf Rickert
8 Body And Soul 10:06
Arranged By – Eddie del Barrio
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Billy Kilson
Guitar – Pino Marrone
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Words By, Music By – Ed Heyman, Frank Eytom, Johnny Green, Robert Sour
9 Silent Tears And Roses 6:49
Acoustic Bass – Andy Simpkins
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Jorge del Barrio
Concertmaster, Violin – Endre Granat
Contractor – Bill Hughes
Drums – Paul Kreibich
Lyrics By – Jeanne Pisano
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Piano – Frank Collett
10 Lament For A Lonely Child 6:48
Acoustic Guitar – Pino Marrone
Arranged By [String, Musical] – Eddie del Barrio
Backing Vocals – Dianne Reeves
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Billy Kilson
Percussion – 'Bombo Le Guero' Luis Conte
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Words By, Music By – Eddie del Barrio
11 Bird Alone 6:46
Acoustic Bass – Andy Simpkins
Arranged By [Musical, Strings], Conductor – Jorge del Barrio
Concertmaster, Violin – Endre Granat
Contractor – Bill Hughes
Drums – Paul Kreibich
Lyrics By, Music By – Abbey Lincoln
Piano – Frank Collett

JOHN PATITUCCI — John Patitucci (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Stepping out from the shadows of Chick Corea's Elektric and Akoustic bands, Patitucci made a pleasing solo debut here largely on the strength of his brilliant up-front soloing on electric and acoustic basses. Adept at the popular funk slapping manner on electric bass, darting fluidly and jaggedly up high on the Smith/Jackson five-string bass, Patitucci always executes with the moves and body English of a bass player even when his instrument is up in the guitar range. Patitucci's compositions are pretty good, too, thoughtful and not too reliant upon jazz-rock cliches. He gets a lot of expert help from a variety of hot sidemen, including the astonishing Chick himself (who also produced the package), Chick's drummer Dave Weckl, other drummers like Peter Erskine and Vinnie Colaiuta, and the heated tenor sax of Michael Brecker. Without a doubt, this first opus enhanced Patitucci's developing reputation at the time. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1. Growing 4:35
 John Patitucci
2. Wind Sprint 6:10
 John Patitucci
3. Searching, Finding 5:05
 John Patitucci
4. Baja Bajo 5:46
 Chick Corea / John Patitucci
5. Change Of Season 3:53
 John Patitucci
6. Our Family 3:01
 John Patitucci
7. Peace And Quiet Time 4:59
 John Patitucci
8. Crestline 5:13
 John Patitucci
9. Zaragoza 3:57
 Chick Corea
10. Then & Now 5:38
 John Patitucci
11. Killeen 5:15
 John Patitucci
12. The View 5:39
 John Patitucci
Credits :
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Peter Erskine, Vinnie Colaiuta
Piano, Producer – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Synthesizer – David Witham, John Beasley

DAVE WECKL — Heads Up (1992) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On drummer Dave Weckl's GRP set the rhythms are funky but complex and intelligent, Weckl's sidemen are very complementary and the grooves are quite infectious. Altoist Eric Marienthal and tenor saxophonist Steve Tavaglione get to blow up a storm twice apiece over vamps, Jay Oliver's synth spot recalls Chick Corea on "Tomatillo" and there are strong cameos by trumpeters Randy Brecker and Jeff Beal. Listeners who hate the sound of electronics would best avoid this date, but within its genre Heads Up is a superior effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    7th Ave. South 5:13
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
2    Heads Up 6:40
Bass, Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
3    Taboo 5:21
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Bass [Solo, Melody] – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
4    Tomatillo 5:34
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums, Percussion [Timbalitos] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
5    Peripheral Vision 5:11
Bass [Fretless] – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Trumpet – Jeff Beal
6    Tee Funk (For Richard Tee) 5:32
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
7    Against The Wall 5:44
Bass, Keyboards – Gary Novak
Drums, Programmed By [Synth] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
8    Full Moon 5:37
Bass, Keyboards – John Patitucci
Drums, Programmed By [Synth] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards [Behind Sax Solo], Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
9    Trigger Happy 3:58
Performer [Everything], Drums – Dave Weckl

DAVE WECKL — Hard-Wired (1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 What was true of Master Plan is also true of Dave Weckl's third album as a leader of Hard-Wired -- it isn't the fusion masterpiece Weckl is capable of delivering, but it certainly isn't bad either. This time, the drummer's guests include keyboardist Jay Oliver and bassist Anthony Jackson as well as bassist John Patitucci, who like Weckl, was no longer a member of Chick Corea's Akoustic and Elektric Bands and was making his own albums a priority. The album's main emphasis is fusion that is fairly accessible, yet substantial and improvisatory. Tunes like the Asian-influenced title song and the groove-oriented "Crazy Horse" weren't recorded with hard bop's hard-liners in mind, but at the same time, they don't pander to NAC radio. As enjoyable as this album is, it isn't essential. One sensed that Weckl's best work as a leader was yet to come. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Hard-Wired 4:02
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Steve Tavaglione
Bass Guitar – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Dave Weckl
Synth – Jay Oliver
2    Afrique 5:53
Bass Guitar – Anthony Jackson
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Synth – Jay Oliver
Trumpet – Scott Alspach
3    Dis' Place This 6:38
Bass Guitar – Anthony Jackson
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Trumpet, Flugelhorn [Melody] – Scott Alspach
4    In Flight 6:11
Bass Guitar – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Synth – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
5    Crazy Horse 5:41
Alto Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Bass Guitar – James Genus
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Trumpet – Scott Alspach
6    Just An Illusion 5:09
Bass Guitar – James Genus
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Electronic Wind Instrument [Harmonica] – Steve Tavaglione
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
7    Where's Tom? 5:09
Bass Guitar – James Genus
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
8    In The Pocket 5:29
Alto Saxophone, Saxophone [Section] – Steve Tavaglione
Drums, Loops [samples solo] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Organ, Synth, Programmed By [Bass] – Jay Oliver
Trumpet [Section] – Scott Alspach
9    Tribute 5:09
Drums – Dave Weckl
Fretless Bass, Acoustic Bass – John Patitucci
Keyboards, Synth, Piano – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Credits
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 1, 2, 3,), James Genus (tracks: 5, 6, 7), John Patitucci (tracks: 4, 9)
Bass [Programming] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 8)
Drum, Drum Programming – Dave Weckl
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Steve Tavaglione
Synthesizer, Piano, Organ – Jay Oliver
Trumpet – Scott Alspach

PÉREZ | PATITUCCI | BLADE — Children Of The Light (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Children of the Light 6'54
Danilo Pérez
2     Sunburn and Mosquito (Dedicated to Carolina) 4'34
Danilo Pérez
3     Moonlight on Congo Square 5'01
John Patitucci
4     Lumen 4'26
Danilo Pérez
5     Within Everything 3'21
Brian Blade
6     Milky Way 3'40
John Patitucci
7     Light Echo/Dolores 9'49
Danilo Pérez / Wayne Shorter
8     Ballad for a Noble Man (In memory of Doug Sommer) 4'32
John Patitucci
9     Looking for Light 5'33
Danilo Pérez
10     Luz del Alma 2'38
Danilo Pérez
11     African Wave 5'25
Danilo Pérez
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – John Patitucci
Cello – Sachi Patitucci (pistas: 8)
Drums – Brian Blade
Grand Piano, Keyboards, Drum – Danilo Perez

THE GREAT JAZZ TRIO - 'S Wonderful (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since launching the Great Jazz Trio in the 1970s, Hank Jones has been accompanied by many different rhythm sections, though this one, with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Jack DeJohnette, ranks alongside any of them. In spite of a life-threatening diagnosis that resulted in emergency surgery a couple of years earlier, the pianist, 85 at the time of the sessions, is very much at the top of his game. The diverse program delves into standards from the swing era (an explosive "'S Wonderful" and a jaunty take of "Sweet Lorraine"), a subtle arrangement of the gospel-inflected "Moanin'," along with the surprising choice of "Take Five" in a blues-drenched setting. Patitucci's warm arco bass introduces the haunting take of the centuries-old "Green Sleeves," backed by Jones' spacious piano and DeJohnette's delicate percussion, while the leader's inventive improvisation that follows proves that there is plenty of room for exploration of this still popular song. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     'S Wonderful 4:00
George Gershwin
2     Sweet Lorraine 4:38
Clifford R. Burwell / Mitchell Parish
3     Moanin' 6:44
Bobby Timmons
4     The Days of Wine and Roses 4:47
Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer
5     Take Five 6:49
Paul Desmond
6     I Surrender Dear 5:34
Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford
7     Night Train 5:41
Jimmy Forrest / Oscar Washington
8     Lover Come Back to Me 6:33
Sigmund Romberg
9     Greensleeves 6:23
Traditional
Credits :
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Piano – Hank Jones

ROY HAYNES - The Roy Haynes Trio ft. Danilo Pérez & John Patitucci (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Roy Haynes has had a long career, and the generically titled The Roy Haynes Trio featuring Danilo Perez and John Patitucci is a long CD, approaching 70 minutes, that attempts to recap that career in the form of new performances and, to a surprising extent, succeeds. The drummer had just turned 74 when this album was released, and had been recording since the 1940s. He took the opportunity of this collection with a new trio, which contained both studio and live recordings, to look back over that period by choosing tunes associated with many of the musicians he had worked with over the years. His tenure in Bud Powell's Modernists septet was recalled in the opening number, Powell's "Wail," which also served the purpose of establishing right off the bat that Haynes was still drumming with his usual power and aggressiveness. Then, Pat Metheny's Spanish-tinged "Question and Answer" harked back only to the late '80s and early '90s and his work with the guitarist. And so it went: Haynes' five-year tenure behind Sarah Vaughan was referenced on "Shulie a Bop," one of her scat numbers, while Miles Davis' "Sippin' at the Bells" and Thelonious Monk's "Bright Mississippi" and "Green Chimneys" reminded listeners of his periods with each. All of this made for a varied collection, but the trio format allowed plenty of room for the individual musicians to play extensively and put their marks on the disparate material. In fact, the effect was to suggest that the history of jazz since World War II, which has been perceived as a series of conflicting trends, actually coheres well. At least, it does when Roy Haynes is behind the drums. by William Ruhlmann  
Tracklist :
1     Wail 3:19
Bud Powell
2     Questions and Answers 7:08
Pat Metheny
3     Shulie a Bop 3:34
George Treadwell / Sarah Vaughan
4     Dear Old Stockholm 6:05
Traditional   
5     It's Easy to Remember 6:40
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     Folk Song 5:33
Chick Corea
7     Sippin' at Bells 7:07
Miles Davis
8     Bright Mississippi 9:39
Thelonious Monk
9     Prelude to a Kiss 7:58
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills
10     Green Chimneys 12:27
Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Arranged By – Danilo Perez (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 8), Roy Haynes (faixas: 10), The Roy Haynes Trio (faixas: 2, 4, 5)
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Roy Haynes
Piano – Danilo Perez

MIKE STERN - Give And Take (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a relatively straight-ahead set by the distinctive guitarist Mike Stern, whose airy sound seems quite fresh in this context. Stern performs three standards ("I Love You," "Giant Steps" and "Oleo"), Jimi Hendrix's "Who Knows," and six originals, mostly in a trio with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Percussionist Don Alias helps out on a few tracks; pianist Gil Goldstein is on two, and tenor great Michael Brecker nearly steals the show with three high-powered solos. Actually, the biggest surprise is "That's What You Think," a straight-ahead blues that has a very credible alto solo from guest David Sanborn. All in all, an excellent outing. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    I Love You 6:18
Cole Porter
2    Hook Up    7:01
Mike Stern
3    Everything Changes    5:39
Mike Stern
4    One Liners    8:16
Mike Stern
5    Jones Street    7:31
Mike Stern
6    Lumpy    3:13
Mike Stern
7    Rooms    5:02
Mike Stern
8    That's What You Think    6:41
Mike Stern
9    Giant Steps 5:07
John Coltrane
10    Who Knows 3:02
Jimi Hendrix
11    Oleo 5:33
Sonny Rollins
Credits:
Acoustic Bass – John Patitucci
Alto Saxophone – David Sanborn (tracks: 8)
Drums – Jack DeJohnette (tracks: 1 to 5, 8, 9)
Guitar – Mike Stern
Percussion – Don Alias (tracks: 6, 7, 10, 11)
Piano – Gil Goldstein (tracks: 6, 7)
Producer – Gil Goldstein
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker (tracks: 2, 4, 5)
 

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - The Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Nine years after the breakup of the final version of Return to Forever, Chick Corea ended a long period of freelance projects by forming his Elektrik Band. This set, the group's initial release, finds Corea meeting up for the first time with the great bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl; half of the selections also have either Carlos Rios or Scott Henderson on guitar. Due to the high musicianship, the personalities of the players, and Corea's colorful compositions, the Elektrik Band quickly became one of the top fusion groups of the late '80s. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 City Gate 0:54
2 Rumble 4:04
Written-By – Chick Corea
3 Side Walk 3:48
Guitar – Carlos Rios 
Written-By – Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci
4 Cool Weasel Boogie 6:43
Guitar – Carlos Rios 
Written-By – Chick Corea
5 Got A Match? 5:38
Written-By – Chick Corea
6 Elektric City 4:07
Guitar – Carlos Rios 
Written-By – Chick Corea
7 No Zone 5:29
Written-By – Chick Corea
8 King Cockroach 6:56
Guitar – Scott Henderson 
Written-By – Chick Corea
9 India Town 5:06
Written-By – Chick Corea
10 All Love 5:45
Written-By – Chick Corea
11 Silver Temple 8:32
Guitar – Scott Henderson 
Written-By – Chick Corea
Credits:
Bass [Electric & Acoustic] – John Patitucci
Drums [Acoustic & Electronic], Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Producer – Chick Corea

CHICK COREA ELEkTRIC BAND - Light Years (1987) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The second recording by Chick Corea's Elektric Band was the first to feature altoist Eric Marienthal and guitarist Frank Gambale in addition to bassist John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl and the leader/keyboardist. Unlike most other fusion groups, these musicians displayed original musical personalitites and Corea's compositions tended to be memorable. This is one of The Elektric Band's better releases. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
 1 Light Years 3:54
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
2 Second Sight 4:24
Chick Corea
3 Flamingo 4:10
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
4 Prism 3:30
Chick Corea
5 Time Track 5:03
Chick Corea
6 Starlight 3:52
Chick Corea / John Patitucci
7 Your Eyes 3:56
Chick Corea
8 The Dragon 5:30
Chick Corea / John Patitucci
9 View from the Outside 6:30
Chick Corea
10 Smokescreen 4:13
Chick Corea
11 Hymn of the Heart 6:39
Chick Corea
12 Kaleidoscope 8:04
Chick Corea
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Arranged By, Written-By – Chick Corea (tracks: 2 to 5, 6, 7, 9 to 12)
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Electric Bass – John Patitucci (tracks: 1 to 9, 11, 12)
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Guitar – Carlos Rios (tracks: 3, 7), Frank Gambale (tracks: 1, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12)
Keyboards – Chick Corea
Mixed By – Bernie Kirsh, Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver, John Patitucci

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - Eye of the Beholder (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

During an era when the word "fusion" was applied to any mixture of jazz with pop or funk, Chick Corea's Elektric Band reinforced the word's original meaning: a combination of jazz improvisations with the power, rhythms and sound of rock. Eye of the Beholder, which found guitarist Frank Gambale, saxophonist Eric Marienthal and bassist John Patitucci displaying increasingly original solo voices, is one of this group's finest recordings and ranks with the best fusion of the latter half of the 1980s. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1. Home Universe (2:44)
2. Eternal Child (4:52)
3. Forgotten Past (2:58)
4. Passage (4:56)
5. Beauty (7:56)
6. Cascade, Pt. 1 (1:54)
7. Cascade, Pt. 2 (5:19)
8. Trance Dance (5:50)
9. Eye of the Beholder (6:39)
10. Ezinda (6:54)
11. Amnesia (3:28)
Personnel:
    Chick Corea – synthesizer, piano, arranger, keyboards
    Frank Gambale – guitar
    Eric Marienthal – saxophone
    John Novello – synthesizer (track 2)
    John Patitucci – bass
    Dave Weckl – drums

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - Inside Out (1990) APE (image+.cue), lossless)

Chick Corea's Elektric Band was always a well-intergrated unit, featuring passionate solos from the rockish guitarist Frank Gambale and the R&Bish saxophonist Eric Marienthal in addition to major statements from the distinctive leader who utilized a battery of keyboards yet remained quite recognizable. With John Patitucci (arguably jazz's top electric bassist) and drummer Dave Weckl pushing the ensemble, this pacesetting fusion unit is heard at its peak on these Corea originals. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Inside Out 5:10
2 Make A Wish - Part 1 1:39
3 Make A Wish - Part 2 6:17
4 Stretch It - Part 1 0:51
5 Stretch It - Part 2 7:51
6 Kicker 6:18
7 Child's Play 3:25
8 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 1 2:02
9 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 2 3:40
10 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 3 5:48
11 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 4 4:19
Credits:
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Piano, Synthesizer – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - Beneath the Mask (1991) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The fifth and final recording by the original version of Chick Corea's Elektric Band is not quite up to the level of the past few sets due to some forgettable compositions. The keyboardist/leader, guitarist Frank Gambale, and saxophonist Eric Marienthal create some fine solos and the ensembles (with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl) are tight, making this a worthwhile but not essential release from the top fusion group. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Beneath the Mask 3:31
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
2 Little Things That Count 3:47
John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
3 One of Us Is Over 40 4:55

Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl

4 A Wave Goodbye 4:45
Chick Corea / Dave Weckl
5 Lifescape 5:10
Chick Corea
6 Jammin E. Cricket 6:51
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
7 Charged Particles 5:17
Chick Corea
8 Free Step 7:44
Chick Corea
9 99 Flavors  3:52
Chick Corea
10 Illusions 09:44
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
Credits:
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Keyboards – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal

MICHAEL BRECKER - Wide Angles (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An early 2002 tour of the U.K. found Michael Brecker playing his old material with a larger band that included some instruments usually falling outside the standard jazz combo (i.e., oboe, French horn). Perhaps a live recording of the genesis of this album would have been preferable since Wide Angles provides such mixed results. For such a large band with so many great players, it all ends up being window-dressing. The recording makes Brecker the center of attention, and despite some truly lyrical playing, there's little interaction between soloist and ensemble. The ten tracks (nine by Brecker with Don Grolnick's "Evening Faces," the exception) are a suite, according to Brecker and arranger Gil Goldstein. When it sticks to the cerebral and introspective, it flows very well. Even if he isn't paying much attention to what's going on behind him, Brecker is at least expressive and as inspired as ever. The standard-issue fusion and funk of "Night Jessamine," where the quindectet are totally superfluous, trips things up and should have been left to a smaller unit. With so much focus on the tenor saxophonist, Brecker fanatics will justifiably go ape. Listeners wanting to hear mainstream bassist John Patitucci, the usually experimental violinist Mark Feldman, or any of the other capable players interacting will find their roles too supportive. by David Jeffries 

MICHAEL BRECKER - Pilgrimage (2007) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Given the heartbreaking context in which this album was released -- this was the final recording by saxophonist Michael Brecker, who died of myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia only a few months before its release -- there might be a certain temptation to cut it some slack for sentimental reasons. However, leniency is hardly needed. Leading a group comprised of jaw-dropping talents (pianists Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau, guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist John Patitucci, drummer Jack DeJohnette) and playing for the first time a program consisting entirely of original compositions, Brecker delivers an emotionally rich and startlingly powerful album of straight-ahead modern jazz that will stand as his musical epitaph and will effectively confound anyone who has ever been tempted to dismiss him as a mere jazz-pop fusioneer. It will also frustrate anyone looking for maudlin emotion or even any obvious product of existential angst; the only concession to sentiment here is on the title of a ballad, "When Can I Kiss You Again?," a quote from Brecker's teenage son during a period in his treatment when his family was not allowed to touch him. But even that track, with its unusual chord progression and sometimes rather arid solos, retains a core of tough-mindedness within the tenderness. Most of the rest of the program consists of uptempo and medium-tempo burners that swing with a powerful sense of urgency and life, and precious little foreshadowing of the tragedy that all involved knew was soon to come. This is a brilliant and inspiring album -- and would be whether or not it had anything to do with the death of one of the great figures in American jazz. This CD was nominated in 2007 for a Grammy award as Best Jazz Instrumental Album (Individual or Group), and Brecker's improvisation on "Anagram" was nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. by Rick Anderson   

JOHN PATITUCCI TRIO — Remembrance (2009) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Bassist John Patitucci's tenure with the Concord label has found him working in a variety of contexts, from Latin jazz to string quartets with saxophones, but this, his sixth album for the label and his first release as a leader since 2006's Grammy-nominated Line by Line, is possibly his most stripped-down release to date: a straight trio session with saxophonist Joe Lovano and drummer Brian Blade. Blade has been working with Patitucci for several albums now, but Lovano is a relative newcomer to the bassist's discography, having only previously appeared on a few tracks from 2001's Communion. This disc, like others in his catalog, finds Patitucci alternating between acoustic and electric bass, and while both approaches are equally worthwhile (the guy's a serious talent), the switching back and forth between funk and swing makes for a slightly disjointed listen. A better idea might have been to divide everything up, putting "Monk/Trane," "Sonny Side," "Scenes from an Opera," "Blues for Freddie," "Safari," "Joe Hen," and "Play Ball" up front and leaving "Messiaen's Gumbo," "Meditations," "Mali," and the short but beautiful title track as a four-song coda. But in any case, there are no bad tracks here -- Lovano's soloing is as deft and muscular as always, and Blade's drumming is powerful without sacrificing subtlety -- so a little style-hopping can be forgiven. Phil Freeman 

Tracklist :
 1     Monk/Trance    7:14
John Patitucci
2     Messaien's Gumbo    5:28
John Patitucci
3     Sonny Side    7:27
John Patitucci
4     Meditations    5:04
John Patitucci
5     Mali    7:16
John Patitucci
6     Scenes from an Opera    5:23
John Patitucci
7     Blues for Freddie    5:24
John Patitucci
8     Safari    6:08
John Patitucci
9     Joe Hen    7:44
John Patitucci
10     Play Ball    6:47
John Patitucci
11     Remembrance    1:54
John Patitucci
Credits :
    Bass – John Patitucci
    Drums – Brian Blade
    Saxophone – Joe Lovano
with
    Cello – Sachi Patitucci
    Percussion – Rogerio Boccato

JOHN ABERCROMBIE | PETER ERSKINE | BOB MINTZER | JOHN PATITUCCI — The Hudson Project (2000) HDCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the Manhattan Center in New York in 1998, this CD documents a concert by the Hudson Project: a piano-less post-bop/fusion quartet uniting guitarist John Abercrombie with bassist John Patitucci, drummer Peter Erskine, and the Michael Brecker-influenced tenor saxman Bob Mintzer. You won't hear any overdone standards during the set; all four musicians contribute their own compositions, most of which are quite cerebral and angular. Clearly, the Hudson Project isn't a group that's willing to go out of its way to be accessible; complex pieces like Erskine's "Cats + Kittens," Patitucci's "Labor Day," Mintzer's "Modern Day Tuba," and Abercrombie's "Little Swing" must be accepted on their own terms. And those who can accept the Hudson Project on its own terms will find this CD to be a decent, if unspectacular, exercise in post-bop/fusion intellectualism. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1 Runferyerlife  8:30
Bob Mintzer
2 Labor Day  7:47
John Patitucci
3 Little Swing  7:38
John Abercrombie
4 Cats & Kittens   7:53
Peter Erskine
5 The Well  7:33
John Patitucci
6 Bass Desires  12:21
Peter Erskine
7 That's for Sure  6:19
John Abercrombie
8 Modern Day Tuba  9:25
Bob Mintzer
Credits :
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Peter Erskine
Executive-Producer – Chick Corea, Ron Moss
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Saxophone – Bob Mintzer