I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC

50% studio, 50% live album

This hard to digest free from jazz of Weather Report struck from the first moment. The studio part of the album (side one my vinyl) is very dark. The opening section has some haunting choir that finds it's way through the sophisticated rhythmic session. The wind-instruments are narcotic and the bass is punching us through the songs. The second track of this side is a 12 string free jazz acoustic guitar part with inaccurate but striking playing of guest musician Ralph Towner. By now I begin to accept this record was not meant for easy listening or when I spend time with my girlfriend: this is music that evokes that serious facial expression of mine because of it's mysterious and not-so-human sound.

On side two there's a liver recording with less guest musicians and thus a more controlled sound. They keys are confronting, with distorted free jazz patterns. The wind-section sounds a bit out of place sometimes, but overall the solo's are fine.

Conclusion. This record represents a dark haunting journey through free-jazz with little catchy moments and little grip on the process for the listener. It's sound is heavy and the music is daring. For this amount of quality their must be a crowd willing to listen to it's chaotic view on music. I find myself in the middle; I can enjoy this music when in a specific mood, but I do miss some structure in it's concept. I do love it's mysterious atmospheres. If your not particularly interested in jazz rock you might not be interested in this record, if you're a fan of the genre you might want to find out what this confronting record has to offer. For me three stars, for fans of free jazz 4.5 stars.

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