LIGHT AS A FEATHER

Brazilian jazz is more like it. Chick Corea & co. decided this time to leave aside the experimental facette and focus more on "conservative" (in the mildest sense of the word) latin jazz music. The album starts on fast "samba" beats with "You're Everything" ; Flora Purim fits more perfectly on a lower pitch, accentuating the "warmth" factor of her timbre; Joe Farrell's flute playing succeds to bring that "carioca" feel to the music. The title track slows the rhythm down a bit; "Light As A Feather" starts as a mellow bossa nova with displays from Chick Corea; the rhythm goes in crescendo and, later on, the spotlight focuses on Joe Farrell's sax scales exposition. "Captain Marvel" has the same samba beat, only this time Joe turns to flute again; the melody is as marvelous as the title suggests. The mood turns a bit blue for a while at the beginning of "500 miles high"; the Flora Purim enters again singing lyrics and the format acquired is of a more traditional jazz with a bit of latin flavour provided by Chick Corea's keyboard chords, until the latin percussions come in again and Joe Farrell grabs his alto sax; luckily Stanley Clarke breaks the repetitive sax (flute)/keyboard sequence and gets his first spotlit moment on the record, which is a bit short though. "Children's Song" is a sort of experimental lullaby, though not really outstanding in the record. "Spain" is perhaps the most memorable piece of the entire album, and would result in one of Chick's most revered masterpieces; it actually consists on a variation on one of the movements of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Aranjuez" suite; which later turns into another samba; the melody is amazing, specially enhanced with Flora's beautiful voice; the sequence is the same: Joe Farrell's flute scales, followed by Corea's keyboard and, finally, Stanley Clarke on acoustic bass ends the soloing sequence and we're in for the coda. Certainly that song merits it's fame, and would become a staple for many Chick Corea's concerts.

This album definitely won't appeal much to progressive ROCK fans, since it's condemned by it's predictability (an attribute which it's predecesor doesn't share); it's always in the same mood, adding to the lack of "rock" elements. But if you feel like trying, don't be afraid to. This is amazing music charged with musicianship and professionalism, and is indeed a pure Latin Jazz record.

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