WEATHER REPORT

Miles Davis had pioneered jazz fusion and in his band at the time were Weather Report's own Joe Zawinul & Wayne Shorter who featured on such landmark albums as "In A Silent Way" & "Bitches Brew." Zawinul also contributed his own song on "In A Silent Way" seeing him share album credits with Miles himself.It's that specific sound that would feature again not more then two years later wit the relase of Weather Report's self titled. Both albums had seen the use of electric instrumentation instead of the standard acoustic set up. which to some,this may of been deemed blasphemous with critics calling Miles' a sellout. But it also brought jazz to a whole new audience.Weather Report with other electric jazz bands such as Return To Forever & The Mahavishnu Ochestra (all of which featured members from Miles Davis' band) became the forefront of jazz fusion/jazz rock and are credited as the true pioneers of the genre.Unlike the previously mentioned bands Weather Report's début continued the experimental and psychedelic sounds from Bitches Brew.But rather keep the chaotic intensity of Bitches Brew's avant jazz sound.It shared the pace,flow and experimentation of "In A Silent Way" creating an exciting yet risky début.

As the band is a far smaller unit then Miles band this leaves alot for freedom for the five musicians to roam.Wayne Shorter's Soprano sax playing is a real highlight of the album.Over complex rythms and experimental sounds his tasteful playing adds more texture & makes this farout album more grounded,this is more notable on song "Tears."A good example of why Weather Report have always sounded so unique throughout their career was their ability to experiment & incorporate various music styles.Though prominently a jazz group,influences of rock & world music can be heard throughout this album and later in their career funk would also become a dominant sound for the band. Founding member & bassist Miroslav Vitous's has an impressive performance on track "Umbrellas" although technically a free jazz song,his chunky distorted bass similar to that of Jack Bruce's bass tone of the time and a solid groove provided by drummer Alphonse Mouzon shows their rock tendencies although this would never be fully explored.

I began listening to Weather Report after hearing their repatoir of musicians more specifically bass players such as Jaco Pastorius,Victor Bailey & Alphonso Johnson and although I was very impressed by the albums featuring them,this has become a favourite of mine.Fantastic musicianship,an excellent lineup & a historic album should persuade you to buy this.