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WAYNE SHORTER

Jazz Rock/Fusion • United States


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Wayne Shorter biography
Born August 25, 1933 (Newark, New Jersey, USA)

This is NOT a biography. At least not one which covers all aspects of Shorter's career equally. There are plenty of Shorter biographies on the net (both shorter and longer, excuse the pun), half a dozen of them being excellent. Instead, let's try to focus on Shorter's music in the context of moving-forward, progressive, advanced. Let's see his foundations in the world of jazz rock and fusion.

WAYNE SHORTER is American saxophonist and composer, and one of the most leading figures in post-WWII jazz scene. He performs on soprano and tenor saxophone; while being tough and intense on soprano sax, he's much more gentle and lyrical on tenor sax.

His status as a composer is not to be overlooked: many of his tunes are nowadays within a scope of jazz standards, most notably his 60's and 70's output.

He is performing modal jazz, hard-bop, post-bop, fusion, funk; and dabbled with many other subgenres, including Latin jazz, ethnic jazz, bossa nova, rock, avangarde. While some other artists relevant for the development of jazz-rock/fusion also might belong to the first categories mentioned (HERBIE HANCOCK springs to mind), I'll try to focus on the categories more relevant for this site.

(It's worth mentioning he collaborated with JOHN COLTRANE, BRANFORD MARSALIS, HORACE SILVER and MAYNARD FERGUSON in his early days; the days of foundation of his style which never ceased to evolve. He joined ART BLAKEY'S JAZZ MESSENGERS, and somewhere around that time (early 60's) here relased his first solo album.)

The important step in Shorter's career is MILES DAVIS. It's not much of an exaggeration if we say Shorter was literally...stolen from Blakey by Davis. Davis' Quartet, with Hancock, RON CARTER and TONY WILLIAMS.

In my opinion, this period is perhaps the most worthy of checking for a newbie in a jazz world. Davis said Shorter brought ''curiosity about working with musical rules'' ...and of course, bending them. Hancock described Shorter as a ''master writer'' in the group.

Shorter was there, at birth of jazz fusion, on transition from post-bop to fusion, on transition from acoustic to amplified. On ''In A Silent Way'' and ''Bitches Brew''. He stayed with Davis until the end of the 60's.

(In the meantime, he did a number of solo albums, as well as some guest appearances on his bandmates' recordings.)

Miles Davis' period finished for Shorter just on time to...<...
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WAYNE SHORTER discography


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WAYNE SHORTER top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.02 | 11 ratings
Introducing Wayne Shorter [Aka: Blues A La Carte]
1959
4.00 | 5 ratings
Second Genesis
1960
4.00 | 9 ratings
Wayning Moments
1962
4.34 | 23 ratings
Night Dreamer
1964
4.18 | 29 ratings
JuJu
1964
4.39 | 57 ratings
Speak No Evil
1965
4.31 | 16 ratings
The All Seeing Eye
1966
4.42 | 19 ratings
Adam's Apple
1966
3.47 | 15 ratings
Schizophrenia
1969
3.20 | 13 ratings
Super Nova
1969
3.90 | 10 ratings
Odyssey Of Iska
1971
4.20 | 5 ratings
Moto Grosso Feio
1974
3.85 | 17 ratings
Native Dancer
1975
4.23 | 13 ratings
The Soothsayer
1979
4.23 | 13 ratings
Etcetera
1980
3.86 | 9 ratings
Atlantis
1985
2.50 | 4 ratings
Phantom Navigator
1987
2.67 | 3 ratings
Joy Ryder
1988
4.00 | 8 ratings
High Life
1995
4.00 | 11 ratings
Alegría
2003

WAYNE SHORTER Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.25 | 8 ratings
Footprints Live!
2002
3.90 | 10 ratings
Beyond the Sound Barrier
2005
4.33 | 6 ratings
Without A Net
2013
4.00 | 1 ratings
Live at the Detroit Jazz Festival (with Terri Lyne Carrington, Leo Genovese & Esperanza Spalding)
2022
0.00 | 0 ratings
Celebration, Volume 1
2024

WAYNE SHORTER Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

WAYNE SHORTER Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.00 | 1 ratings
This Is Jazz #19
1996
3.00 | 1 ratings
All Or Nothing at All
2002
4.50 | 2 ratings
Footprints: The Life and Music of Wayne Shorter
2004
3.00 | 1 ratings
Best of Verve Years 1995-2003
2004

WAYNE SHORTER Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

WAYNE SHORTER Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Native Dancer by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1975
3.85 | 17 ratings

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Native Dancer
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Antonio Giacomin

4 stars NATIVE DANCER

This album does not have the fire found in "Romantic Warrior" or "Spectrum". As I have told in reviews from those two albums, the sub genre jazz-rock/fusion many of the times attracts me because of being "flashy", which is not what we can find here. So what is "Native Dancer" about in order to call anyone´s attention? The answer is OPPORTUNITY. I consider this album to be a kind of opportunity for old proggers to be in touch with what in a very pleasant musical way happens in the realm of "Pindorama" (native name for Brazil prior to its European discovery). In "Native Dancer, we have the presence of renewed brazillian musicians as Milton Nascimento, Wagner Tiso, Roberto Silva and Airto Moreira. Among these guys, for many art and music appreciators Milton is considered as the greatest artist that have ever appeared in Brazil, far ahead of Bossa Nova and "Garota de Ipanema" related masters (and sure many of them really excels as musicians). And what makes this opinion to be so strongly consolidated is the deep beauty found in his voice and also his capacity of passing deep and strong emotions with his singing.

This album is the result of a strong friendship that appeared involving Wayne, Milton and Herbie Hancock, another iconic jazz man. As far as I can guess, a thoughtful artist like Wayne Shorter saw an opportunity to mix jazz criteria with brazillian folk music in order to produce something new. And, as a formidable tool to have success in this task, he used the angelic voice of Milton Nascimento throughout "Native Dancer". Once Elis Regina, a famous singer in Brazil and very important in promoting the beginning of Milton´s career, said that if God wanted to speak to Mankind he would choose exactly the voice of Milton Nascimento. And this VOICE is the first and overwhelming achievement Wayne Shorter presented here, and without any trace of over exposition. The second one is the wearing up of brazillian folk music with the tissues and colors of jazz in a very balanced musical journey.

From the nine anthems presented here, five are traditional songs related to and even composed by Milton Nascimento (three other are from Mr Shorter and one from Mr Hancock). Those five ones belong to a strong (IMHO the best) musical movement in Brazil named "Clube Da Esquina". Some artists here in progarchives received a lot of influences from it, ones like 14 Bis, Som Imaginário, O Terço; and my favorite brazillian prog artist here, Marco Antonio Araújo. When a musician like Wayne Shorter gets aware of musical movement and develops a friendship with its greatest name the result is a gift to music apreciators in a form of brazillian folk jazz in a soft and mild heartened album named "Native Dancer"

I would recommend this album for anyone; but strongly for those veterans that expects discoveries in new realms of music even if not in the core of progressive rock music. For them I would also sugest a Milton´s album named "Milton" (the one from 1976, because there is another one with this name from 1970). This album and "Journey To Dawn" from 1979 were released with jazz touches (and also with the presence of Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock in "Milton") with the objective of being known and accepted in north American jazz music market.

But I CANNOT not stop here. There is one more strong recommendation, maybe the strongest I could do. From the album "Sentinela" (1980), there is a Heitor Villa Lobos song named "Cantiga Caicó". Everyone should listen to this at least once in a lifetime and probably would guess Hermann Hesse would choose Milton as master of ceremony in his Magic Theater. It is a masterpiece of art, a way of understanding why God would speak to us with his voice; and mainly a strong reason to consider that there MAY be a God above.

 Speak No Evil by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1965
4.39 | 57 ratings

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Speak No Evil
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars An upbeat post-bop album with Shorter backed by a fine range of sidemen, including Herbie Hancock. The sessions for this album took place on Christmas Eve, 1964, which seems to have put the participants in a positive and happy mood, because the album is decidedly uplifting in flavour. The combination of the album title and the cover shot of Wayne and his first wife Teruko Nakagami - the duo having split up prior to the album sessions - suggests some sort of resentful hidden message here, but thankfully that doesn't come out in the playing and perhaps when Wayne called it "Speak No Evil" he meant it, celebrating the happy memories rather than lingering on the bad.
 Speak No Evil by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1965
4.39 | 57 ratings

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Speak No Evil
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by LearsFool
Prog Reviewer

5 stars Wayne Shorter is loved on these Archives for his work on "In A Silent Way" and with Weather Report. Other than that, however, his only solo output that gets any attention here is his modal/post-bop era and style "Speak No Evil". This is, after all, the solo work of his considered the finest by jazz aficionados, and comparable in quality and position to Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage". Speaking of which, Herbie lays down some of his piano magic on this record. In the end, while not even as prog related as "Time Out" and "Time Further Out" from Brubeck and friends, or "Maiden Voyage" in its special sense, "Speak No Evil" is a masterpiece, and I will review it as such. So Shorter, ever the great composer, leads his backing band well, as he plays his tenor sax with smooth majesty. Herbie lays down some beautiful piano, as is his MO, rounding out the sound; think of an even better take on the interplay between McCoy Tyner's piano and Trane's saxes on "My Favorite Things". The rhythm section is just wonderful at backing this mix of soloists. The whole album is a relaxing trip that makes you forget about evil, forget about everything ill and stressful. Highly recommended to jazz fans, and an interesting listen for any other interested listeners.
 Night Dreamer by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1964
4.34 | 23 ratings

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Night Dreamer
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by thwok

4 stars I'm surprised that there are only 3 ratings for Night Dreamer on Prog Archives, and no written reviews of this album. Judging from what I've read elsewhere on the Internet, Night Dreamer is generally regarded as one of Wayne Shorter's greatest albums. Like my fellow reviewers, I think it's terrific and fully worthy of 4 stars.

Night Dreamer is the only Wayne Shorter-led album I've listened to a lot. Perhaps that gives a clue to Night Dreamer's lack of exposure. The sound of Night Dreamer is post bop/hard bop. It's completely acoustic, and this is in no way jazz fusion. It is excellent music. I think my favorite tracks are "Black Nile" and "Oriental Folk Song". Wayne Shorter is as well known as a jazz composer as an instrumentalist. The fact that he was one of the primary members of Weather Report, and a favorite of Miles Davis, says it all

On Night Dreamer, Shorter played with some of the best jazz musicians of the 1960's. It's all brilliantly played, but I particularly want to draw attention to McCoy Tyner. I'm not a fan of virtuosity for its own sake, and I don't have many favorite musicians. However, I think McCoy Tyner is the best pianist in jazz. His harmonic ideas are all his own, and no one else can combine jaw-dropping skill with melody like Tyner does. The reason that I wouldn't give Night Dreamer more than four stars, is because it lies on the margins of what most fans of this site would listen to. It's still an excellent addition to any music collection. Anyone who likes mainstream jazz will really enjoy this.

 JuJu by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1964
4.18 | 29 ratings

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JuJu
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars JuJu presents a selection of cutting edge esoteric modal jazz cuts that establish Wayne Shorter as, like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, a key thinker in the intense conversations taking place in the jazz avant-garde prior to the late 1960s emergence of fusion. With an able collection of sidemen - McCoy Tyner on piano is, as always, a real treat - it's a solid release which actually has a somewhat sunnier and more upbeat atmosphere than you might expect from the mystical title, but there are sufficient twists and turns on offer to remind you that all is not quite as it seems on the surface.
 Introducing Wayne Shorter [Aka: Blues A La Carte] by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1959
3.02 | 11 ratings

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Introducing Wayne Shorter [Aka: Blues A La Carte]
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by J-Man
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Most experts agree that 1959 was one hell of a year in jazz music, with many going as far as to say that it was the finest year that the genre would ever see. With legends like Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, and many others releasing some of the best albums in their careers over this twelve month span, it's difficult to argue with that statement. One of the slightly more forgotten, but still renowned, releases from this year is the debut from saxophone great Wayne Shorter. Introducing Wayne Shorter is the tenor saxophonist's first effort as a band leader, with greats like Lee Morgan (trumpet), Paul Chambers (bass), Wynton Kelly (piano), and Jimmy Cobb (drums) also on board. This tight lineup delivers six tunes of quality hard bop on this LP, and while I don't think it possesses the same level of greatness as other classics from 1959, this is still a highly enjoyable performance from some of the finest in jazz.

The music you'll find on Introducing Wayne Shorter is pretty standard hard bop for the time. Piano, bass, and hard-hitting drums lay a strong foundation for extended soloing, with each band member given plenty of opportunities to show off their technical skills. Jimmy Cobb's tasteful yet powerful drumming is what immediately draws my attention, and even though all eyes are typically on the soloist, his drumming is simply memorizing. That's not to discount the other musicians, though, as every one of them delivers plenty of great solos throughout the duration of the LP. While I wouldn't call the songwriting here particularly excellent, everything is solid from beginning to end - the nearly ten minute "Down In The Depths" is probably my favorite track if I had to pick one.

Though Introducing Wayne Shorter isn't the most original or captivating hard bop album from the late fifties', it's still an impressive debut from one of saxophone's greatest talents. The impressive technical capabilities of the quintet parred by an equally excellent production makes this a recommendable purchase for all fans of hard bop. I'd say 3.5 stars are deserved for this solid effort.

 JuJu by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1964
4.18 | 29 ratings

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JuJu
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Kazuhiro
Prog Reviewer

4 stars When overall respect is seen if the creation and the history of the music that Wayne Shorter did are considered, it might be a little difficult to tell his charm easily. However, it is understood that the expression of Wayne Shorter has originality very much even if competing with the musician who surrounds the expression and surroundings of a variety of music characters is considered.

The activity of man who spends it in the 70's in the especially 60's might be known as establishment of one music character. It might be very difficult to pull out only one of the various works to which he was related and to talk. And, the work where his essence appears remarkably in the situation in which Wayne Shorter especially forms the music character might be an album at the time announced in Blue Note.

Part of various hobbies to which Wayne Shorter was related at infant stage. Painting and movie. And, the interest by SF and occult always enchanted him. He should have been having them project those elements to own work. The tune of Wayne Shorter had already been offered by competing with Art Blakey had a lot of very fantastic, graceful melodies.

Music character of Miles Davis that advocates route of mode in the latter half of the 1960's. And, John Coltrane that establishes the route from mode Jazz and practices it exists. The situation might surely have influenced Wayne Shorter. And, Wayne Shorter that puts ability in the combo of Art Blakey gradually demonstrates the ability of the composition. Wayne Shorter might have had pride in the title of the player and the composer. It might be remarkably reflected in his Solo album.

If Wayne Shorter was considered from another angle, it will have been time that the music character formed on business with Art Blakey. Or, there might have been a part that had been expressed according to the music character of Miles Davis and the instruction on business with Miles Davis, too. However, the work that shows the music character of Wayne Shorter best might be a work in the age of Blue Note. And, the essence of Wayne Shorter is exactly blocked in the Solo album of man who began to announce immediately before the combo of Art Blakey secedes.

"Night Dreamer" to which the recording had been done on April 29, 1964 was an album where the essence of Wayne Shorter and the music character were exactly expressed enough. The album produced while following the route is this "JUJU". The Sax player is only Wayne Shorter in the recording of this album. In the recording of "Night Dreamer", other members who exclude Lee Morgan are quite same as the member of "Night Dreamer" in this "JUJU" though trumpeter's Lee Morgan participated.

There might have been a situation that derived gradually from mode Jazz in the age. McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones that participates in this album are known well as a member of Coltrane Quintet. The fact that Wayne Shorter appointed these two people might be a point that should make a special mention. Confidence to mode Jazz. Or, there might have been an idea of catching the challenge from the angle besides Miles Davis and John Coltrane and expressing it. As for the tendency to the work at this time, his essence is indeed especially expressed well for Wayne Shorter. Part where wavelength of performance in addition to fantastic melody is matched. And, it is partial removed. Tension and easing. And, it is a part of the expression of the ability and the arrangement of the arrangement as one of the charms of him. These are reflected in the work at this time.

The rhythm mainly composed of three rhythms moves freely in "Juju". The tension twines round the rhythm of a little Latin with a fantastic theme. Continuousness of tension and easing with piano. Fantastic atmosphere is produced as much as possible. Wayne Shorter is offering all the compositions of this album. How is it understood that this album expresses the essence of Wayne Shorter.The rhythm of Elvin Jones that continues the melody and the dash feeling of glossy Tenor Sax has a good flow.

A sensual theme of "Deluge" by Sax is impressive. The power of expression cultivated in the combo with Art Blakey might be followed. Melody of Sax to get on cymbals steady from theme that multiuses Syncopation legato. Piano obbligati that supports the flow. The wave made because the rhythm puts the accent might be a product of the performance by these four people. Piano Solo in close relation to the line of steady Bass also contributes to the tune.

As for "House Of Jade", the theme by fantastic Sax twines round a beautiful piano melody. The atmosphere of the ballade that flows slowly is expressed well. The atmosphere of the tune and the impression of the sound might be a little reminiscent of the element of John Coltrane. Progressing the tune that makes the part and Sax that doubles the tempo of the tune on the way a center has a good flow.

As for "Mahjong", the sound of the drum that slowly twines round the theme with a mysterious melody is good each other. Other members support mode Jazz that Wayne Shorter practices well. The rhythm that puts fast and slow on piano Solo contributes. The part that becomes piano Trio is really reminiscent of Coltrane Quartet. Sound of Sax that performs fantastic melody as much as possible. The width of the flow of the album is expanded.

"Yes Or No" is a very popular as tune of standard Jazz tune. Rhythm with dash feeling. And, a complete theme flows. Solo of Sax in close relation to the rhythm with the diversity of Elvin Jones is a very graceful melody. Part of piano Solo that twines while continuing dash feeling. The part where the wind instrument develops a thick performance in the layer though it is only one person is splendid.

"Twelve More Bars To Go" is a tune where the atmosphere of mode Jazz advocated at this time is expressed well. Sax that feels room in a steady tempo and a piano sound flow. Solo of Wayne Shorter that is accompanied by a steady rhythm section and performs moves good and freely.

Wayne Shorter that announces this album comes to be exactly related to work with Miles Davis. It might be a work talked about as an album to express the most remarkably essential part.

 Super Nova by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1969
3.20 | 13 ratings

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Super Nova
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Kazuhiro
Prog Reviewer

3 stars The content of the Solo album of Wayne Shorter announced in parallel with Quintet of Miles Davis became musical a variety of indeed rapidly in the latter half of the 60's his of that thought and might have been made an embodiment. The fact for Jazz of the mode to become a constant main current and to carry everything before one the world of Jazz will be sure to have developed with the idea of Miles Davis. It challenged with Music's revolution and their groping and creation were rapidly lively in the item of Jazz in the expectation toward the 70's. the directionality of Music whom the self had to pursue other musicians

Especially, the creation to the music of musicians who are related to the work of Miles Davis will have feeling to turn the directionality of Jazz in the 70's and to establish. And, the listener might have been told the way it should be as a base that indeed supported the dawn of Jazz and Fusion based on those elements for individual work.

If the content of the album by which Wayne Shorter worked as Solo Album in the latter half of the 60's was considered, did the charm of the revolution of the listener. Cool impression of "Adam's Apple" and talent for composition of Wayne Shorter. And, I will be able to ask "Schizophrenia" for posture in which it challenged music as his for rush into by Wayne Shorter in the 70's one indicator though it is difficult time. It was time when "In A Silent Way" of Miles Davis had been exactly announced at this time. Musicians might have felt the wave of the change in an easy loud sound in the flow. The deriving flow was absorbed by individual musicians and showed various sides. This "Super Nova" is an item of Jazz when considering it from the respect. Or, the fact that is the album of the content that leads to much for Wayne Shorter is clear now.

Time that should be able to be called dawn of Jazz/Fusion. Or, this album announced at the important time that should be able to be called a miracle faced in the 70's in the 60's might also play a major role as one of the indicators of the important music character that Jazz/Fusion at that time has. The element can be counted as one of the music created from another angle that derives from Miles Davis.

Might do the charm of Wayne Shorter in the world of SF at infancy and it be true to have announced the tune and the idea to often hear the element. The performance that can be listened by this "Super Nova" might be a content where the direction to the idea that he was exactly considering at that time and music appears remarkably. This album might be an important material when talking about the history of Jazz/Fusion.

Sense of Wayne Shorter that completely draws out part where guitar by John McLaughlin and Sonny Sharrock is good. And, the role of Miroslav Vitous that has a presentiment of the flow connected with Weather Report. Or, it is partial where Jack DeJohnette was appointed to make the content of this album an embodiment more perfectly. And, the role and the fact that Chick Corea is taken charge of the drum and the vibraphone as a point that should make a special mention and devoted to the musical instruments. The role might be really unusual. And, the role of Walter Booker that becomes the relation of the brother-in-law for Wayne Shorter. These musicians were people who contributed to the flow of Jazz the idea of Wayne Shorter and at that time. The flow of Jazz/Fusion has changed rapidly exactly.

"Super Nova" remarkably shows directionality that Jazz really at that time should face. It will be able to be said that the flood of the sound that mixes with the tohubohu is one of the music created from another flow different from Miles Davis. The calculated music that doesn't end only by the element of Free Jazz is never progressed.

I feel the depth of the interior of this album as for the melody and the atmosphere of a sensual guitar of "Swee Pea". Wayne Shorter that will perform soprano Sax by proposing Miles Davis satisfactorily demonstrates features of the musical instruments. The flow of a quiet sound in which the one space is imagined might be good each other.

"Dindi" in which Maria Booker and Walter Booker only participate in this album is recorded as a tune of A.C.Jobim. The part of ethnical is taken without destroying the entire impression of the album and it progresses. The part of a glossy melody and a strong percussion has succeeded in the piling of the atmosphere of the album. The tune shifts to a quiet flow and rushes into the part of Bossa Nova. An intense part appears again and the tune accompanies an enchantment element. Extent in which Maria Booker who is Portuguese has been appointed to the song has succeeded.

As for "Water Babies", the melody of soprano Sax that Wayne Shorter is beautiful twines round the guitar. The atmosphere of the drum of Jack DeJohnette contributes to the tune. The tune advances while keeping the light of gloss. The melody of Sax that shines in a chaotic impression gives the listener good atmosphere.

It starts from the impression that "Capricorn" is chaotic. The listener might be able to discover the fact that these flows really give musical the revolution for the field of Jazz/Fusion. Musician's ensemble has gone well while maintaining the form of Free Jazz. The one space flow will have been one revolution as the situation of music at that time.

"More Than Human" that decorates the end of the album advances with an enchantment impression. The expectation might be blocked in the composition of a freely advanced almost crack to the form of standard Jazz [**] tune at the same time as having a presentiment of the shape of Jazz that rushes into in the 70's.

The last stage of the 60's would have been indeed time of groping and the imagination for the kingdom of music. And, the idea of the musician produced momentarily at the time of rushed into by music at a little difficult time is to have the part of the miracle. It might be one of the very important albums in the flow of music that revolutionizes the power of this "Super Nova". And, it might be one of the important works when talking about the history of the music of Wayne Shorter. And, his fans have a lot of opinions that this album is enumerated as one of the masterpieces in the work of Wayne Shorter. "Super Nova" is always talked about as a content that always fades never.

 Schizophrenia by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1969
3.47 | 15 ratings

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Schizophrenia
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Kazuhiro
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Time when this album had been announced might have been important time for Wayne Shorter. The activity of the music of him who had been done in parallel with Solo Album was indeed variegated. The time that shifted from the end in the 60's through work with Art Blakey and activity with Quintet of Miles Davis in the 70's might have been an adventure of music for Wayne Shorter.

The technology and the talent to his music were already the well-known facts. It appeared remarkably from the age of the combo of Art Blakey. Sax player's changing places frequently happened to the combo of Art Blakey at the time of 1958. The movement of Jazz Messengers that repeats secession though having worked is true when Benny Golson and Hank Mobley enhance the directionality of the combo of Art Blakey might have been able to ride on a new wave by the joining of Wayne Shorter.

The existence of Wayne Shorter might have been evaluated as one individuality in the flow whose Sax player of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins is main currents. Time when Wayne Shorter had had Blue Note and relations was time when he had joined Jazz Messengers. And, it shows one's originality from work with Art Blakey gradually at the time of 1964. Man who had seceded the combo announced the masterpiece that was called "JuJu". He has improved ability further with Quintet of Miles Davis. And, he consented that soprano Sax was performed by instructing Miles. This fact has been absorbed to the music character of Wayne Shorter at once. And, it is practiced in "Super Nova" announced in 1969. Flow in this age. And, it proposes musical instruments by Miles. Or, the change in the situation of music that rushed into to agree with them in the 70's will have been inevitable and high true.

Curtis Fuller of the trombonist who is participating in the recording of this album has already competed with Wayne Shorter in Jazz Messengers. And, drum player's Joe Chambers was called one person of Wayne favorite. It has the element of some Hip in standard Jazz "Tom Thumb". And, the individuality of Wayne appeared enough in the melody "Go". The element of SF to which he was related as the hobby from infancy might have appeared unconsciously in his music character. The music character of man who always produces a glossy melody is always unique. Flute player's James Spaulding also contributes. The element of fast Passage and the mode of "Schizophrenia" functions as Tenor Sax. This tune might be one of the highlights of this album. And, it is partial of the mode of "Kryptonite". Or, a sensual ballade of "Miyako" flows. The composition of the entire album might succeed. The progress of the theme with the melody that "Playground" that decorates the end of the album is also complex is offered to the listener. The listener will be able to confirm the fact that Jazz revolutionizes by the age.

The theme and the meaning of this album might be important in the flow that shifts from "Super Nova" to Weather Report. And, he had always to catch the age in Solo Album and to have made music and the idea an embodiment.

 Atlantis by SHORTER, WAYNE album cover Studio Album, 1985
3.86 | 9 ratings

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Atlantis
Wayne Shorter Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Kazuhiro
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I think that many of the performance multiplied for Wayne Shorter in the middle of the 80's from the middle of the 70's faithfully exactly drew his creation in various musicians and places. Of course, it might be true for him in the existence of "Weather Report" that it was one of the lifeworks in the history of his music in the flow. When working about Weather Report that reached, he might have enriched a lot of ideas and creativity in as many as 15 years.

Of course, the creation of his music demonstrates the ability for work with various musicians. Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan in parallel with WR. Or, it competed with musicians such as Carlos Santana and a lot of good work was left. Or, many of the record with V.S.O. P are still handed down as a performance of the legend.

A lot of fans of him might divide the evaluation by the work in some ages in the history of his music. It works with Art Blakey old. Or, a lot of masterpieces left in the age of Blue Note. And, Weather Report exists. Lowering the quality never develops the performance that not is for Wayne Shorter also for a lot of fields for competing with various musicians as for being [**].

If the charm of his music is considered, it is a point that he was having them faithfully think about the music that it should do always. And, the point to reflect those elements in my road through competing with various musicians. And, the point to express the cultivated idea in his Solo Album splendidly especially. And, his original melody and a lot the theme. It is guessed that they worked on music with flexibility always.

Generally, some his representative's Solo Album exists. "Native Dancer" announced in 1974 will be able to be counted as the one. The route of atmosphere that crossed the element of the rhythm that Weather Report had at that time and the border waited for the world and the aspect and produced "Native Dancer" of originality of Wayne Shorter. The existence of Milton Nascimento might be large in those creations. Wayne Shorter always sets up an antenna to the flow in the age and is offering us the original world without fail. It appears enough for his Solo Album to say nothing of it.

The flow of Weather Report is guessed that there were a change in some tunes and changes in directionality in 1985. Of course, there might be not only member's changing places but also a point that grew up in the band of the Joe Zawinul initiation. However, Wayne Shorter always poured power into work with Weather Report of 15 years. Therefore, his Solo Album's not having been announced in 1974 might apply to them. It is made remarks that the act from which fact Wayne Shorter also makes the tune is always slow. Years that will hang for 11 years by the time he announces this album are guessed that various situations came in succession.

It risks it, and he a consistent is painting and cartoon of his hobby from the student. Or, it is said that it liked world in which SF. A mystique of the melody that he produces and active Ad- Rib, etc. might be elements from the world of him always delivered. In the mystique and the consistent theme that can be listened by "Native Dancer", the world of Wayne Shorter might be consistent evidences. And, the album named this "Atlantis" was a flow of his mysterious idea and it is likely to have risen to one of the interests.

Often, the listener who talks about the characteristic of this album might feel a certain kind of difficult part. Of course, there might have been a change in various music and fashions in the age during years when 11 years had been spent as Solo Album. However, Wayne Shorter always created the original world. If the point of "Difficulty" is considered, it is possible to think about some respects. Creation that derives from one Kan of hobby of Wayne Shorter. And, the point to have reflected them in music. Especially, derivation of various music seen in 1985 when Weather Report faced time of dissolution. Or, musical instruments and the machine parts of the fashion at that time. His fan might have liked pure Jazz/Fusion. Music who can listen ..refined Jazz/Fusion that conceives the mystique indeed ..cannot specification.... has finished by this album and. There might be an impression that gives an inorganic, Kon futuristic element from a fantastic element that he was doing as an overall impression and a graceful sense. However, it be might a result of the record that the world of Wayne Shorter was expressed at this time and a very natural act if it considered it as a flow of Jazz/Fusion to which this time was refined.

"Endangered Species" that gives a very futuristic impression has the theme very refined. However, an active melody of Wayne Shorter sounds in that. The atmosphere produced in the 80's is transmitted. The melody of Synclavier is indeed refined.

In "Three Marias", Ensemble of a mysterious melody and musicians is splendid tunes. As for this tune, it is collected to his best album and Andy Summers covers this tune.

"The Last Silk Hat" is a tune of which his soprano Sax went out forward. It might be a tune with the atmosphere of Weather Report at latter term. It is said that it is a tune that makes Hat that floats on the surface of the sea after Atlantis sinks imagining it.

"When You Dream" is indeed refined and the tune to feel a slow wave. I will be able to feel the fact that this album never stays only in an electronic element by this tune. Children's chorus might twine round the composition of the tune well and succeeded.

"Who Goes There" has the melody that Wayne Shorter likes. It might be one of the important factors in the point for power and the mystique of this tune kept secret to compose the album. The usage etc. of the rhythm of the shuffle might run to Weather Report.

"Atlantis" is a theme of this album. Beautiful piano and chorus. And, the melody might contain the fantasy of initial Weather Report.

It might be Jazz/Fusion that slows down the element of the fantasy to which "Shere Khan,The Tiger" is refined as possession. As for the fan of pure Jazz, I might feel a difficult part of puzzled and the album because it contains such a lot of fantasies and mysterious elements while composing the album.

In "Criancas", the mysterious melody played by soprano Sax is an impressive tune. And, the work of a dynamic drum of Alejandro Acuna is a tune with atmosphere that always throbs and is very near Weather Report. It is said that it is a tune made imagining the day before when children and woman fly away to the sky.

Thought that age and Wayne Shorter made at this time think about. Or, the mystique and it is fantastic that consistently flows to this album. Or, when this album is researched, an abstract impression might go to a difficult a little part and be hit. However, a mystique and a transparent feeling of this album drawn in the age might be faithfully made an embodiment by the theme and performing this album.

Thanks to clarke2001 for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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