Celebrating the Music of Weather Report

Celebrating the Music of Weather Report Review

As one of the the top jazz fusion groups of the seventies, Weather Report produced many timeless classics. The continuing popularity of their music is a testimony to great talent and genius. In the world of music, it is uncommon to see an original work of art surpassed. To an extent, this album is one of those instances where the artists paying tribute re-arranged some tracks that came out superior to the originals. This album is a fitting tribute to Weather Report. However, there are two main tracks that top the original versions, namely, "Cannonball" and " Pursuit of the woman with the feathered hat". As aforementioned, this is not a common occurrence, but every once in a while, no matter how good a song or an entire album is, other artists could take the original and re-arrange a better version. Jason Miles, a talented synthesist along with a stellar line-up of jazz-greats including Victor Bailey, Cyro Baptista, Jay Beckenstein, Michael Brecker, Dean Brown, Porter Carroll, Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mary Fahl, Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim, Aaron Heick, Will Lee, Chuck Loeb, Marcus Miller, Andy Narell, John Pattucci, Mike Pope, Mark Quinones, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Tom Schuman, and John Scofield, have accomplished this feat. At times, a music lover with great admiration for a particular artist or group may not accept that others could surpass what their favored artist or group created. I don't go there. I love Weather Report but I do not adore any musical artist/group to the extent where I can't recognize and accept that others could surpass their efforts. I'm a 350 degree audiophile whose into just about every kind of music, except for a few. The remaining 10 degrees include those that I don't care for. So, if you love Weather Report, this tribute album is a must. I even recommend this CD for those who have never heard of, or listened to Weather Report. Jason Miles and company have produced a masterpiece.

Celebrating the Music of Weather Report Overview

In 1970, saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Joe Zawinul, fresh from their stint with Miles Davis, created an ensemble that performed with a jazz sensibility coupled with a groundbreaking use of electronics. Known as Weather Report, their band undertook evolutionary explorations that one writer then described as "folk music of the future." By the time Weather Report disbanded in 1985, some of the brightest stars of the post-'60s era had passed through the group, including bassist Jaco Pastorius, drummer Peter Erskine, and guitarist Steve Khan. Now another Davis sideman, keyboardist Jason Miles has produced a heartfelt tribute to WR with over 20 all-star performers. With ex-Weather Reporters Victor Bailey and Omar Hakim holding it down on bass and drums, Jason Miles and company's take on WR's music comes tailor-made for smooth-jazz audiences. Take 6's vocal samplings on the hit "Birdland" and the funky "Palladium" are as snappy as the harmonies of "A Remark You Made" and "Mysterious Traveller" are impressionistic. Add the Brecker Brothers, alto saxophonist David Sanborn, vibraphonist Andy Narrell, and pianist Joe Sample into the mix, and you have pointers aplenty to the sonic signature Zawinul and Shorter laid down years ago--and to the future sounds they made possible. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

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