JACO PASTORIUS

3.5 stars. I agree with the majority that if your a bass player this is required listening, for everyone else, not so much. Over 30 musicians are involved in the making of this album and the ones who standout would be Herbie Hancock playing Fender Rhodes on a couple of tracks and piano and keys on four more. Wayne Shorter playing soprano sax on one track and Lenny White playing drums on three songs.

A mixed bag for sure and often on the same track. Two of those would be "Kuru/ Speak Like A Child" and "Ocus Pocus" where there's lots to like but also some annoying stuff that keep me from completely enjoying the tunes. Those would be the disco vibes on the former and the island sounds on the latter. The opener "Donna Lee" is one crazy bass track, oh my! Percussion supports but this is all Pastorius. "Continuum" could be on the ECM label. Soul vocals from Sam & Dave on "Come On, Come Over". The closer is all bass. Top two though for me would be "Used To Be A Cha-Cha" at almost 9 minutes. We get flute, piano and bass soloing here. Love that determined sound with the bass and percussion on "Okonkole' Y Trompa", just relentless.

A good album but not as good as the World class bass player here.