HEAVY WEATHER

An enjoyable aspect of progressive rock is its incredible ease in blending with other genres. Whether it's with jazz rock, metal, folk, or pop, most prog enthusiasts have a diverse collection at home. Isn't there an omnivorous nature in many of us? A style that has always greatly appealed to me is that of jazz rock, where virtuosity, taste, and having a creative spirit are also highly valued. However, I usually limit myself to studio albums, as live performances often involve excessive and aimless improvisation, much to my displeasure. In the context of the 1970s special, I have selected some gems within jazz rock. Let's set the bar high and take a closer look at the masterful "Heavy Weather" by the American band Weather Report from 1977.

"Heavy Weather" is the seventh studio album of the group, and because it was released in '77, many superstitious types might attribute its commercial success to these numbers. Wrong! The album owes its status entirely to itself. The songs form a colorful whole that you can never get enough of. Compositionally, it all sounds well thought out, and we hear a band that elevates its old sound to radio friendliness. Don't be alarmed; Weather Report consists of phenomenal musicians who do not compromise their art.

Time and again, it's the tasteful keyboard touches of Joe Zawinul, with warm chords from the synth and infectious playing on the acoustic and electric piano, that set the mood. However, he impresses the most with his themes and solos, considering the choices he makes in them. The first two tracks are his compositions, with the opening Birdland having become a major hit. This is quite remarkable for an instrumental band. Birdland has since become a classic and has been covered many times, for example, by Manhattan Transfer, who added lyrics to it.

The following A Remark You Made is a beautiful ballad, allowing ample space for the otherworldly playing of Jaco Pastorius on the fretless bass guitar. Unfortunately, Pastorius passed away in 1987 at the age of 35 after a bouncer at an entertainment venue beat him into a coma, ultimately resulting in his death. He was unbelievably talented, and his style of playing has been an inspiration for many over the years. Another highlight in this lingering track is Zawinul's fast keyboard solo. Everything works here.

In Teen Town, Pastorius really shines. While he was only present in two tracks on the previous album "Black Market", on "Heavy Weather," he is a full-time band member. His soaring playing adds more melody to the music than before, and he is also valuable in terms of rhythm.

What is more beautiful than the combination of ethereal keyboards, fretless bass guitar, and atmospheric saxophone playing? Weather Report boasts one of the world's best saxophonists in Wayne Shorter, forming a dream lineup. Fantastic things happen on the album, although the band isn't in it on Harlequin and Rumba Mamá. The latter track is nothing more than a live-recorded percussion piece by Alex Acuña and Manolo Badrena with annoying vocals. Acuña is also the drummer on "Heavy Weather," and while he is rhythmically competent, he cannot compare to predecessor Chester Thompson. However, this is not insurmountable. Fortunately, Weather Report regains its driving sound in the conga-driven Palladíum, written by Wayne Shorter, featuring a strong saxophone tune. Weather Report's music occasionally has a cinematic quality, beautifully demonstrated in The Juggler, where the keyboard parts stimulate the imagination. And then it's time for the closing track, Havona. In this substantial composition, Jaco Pastorius underscores his class once again. He is like the Chris Squire of jazz, times two. The song also has some intensity. Weather Report manages to balance it in a way that keeps you hooked.

In essence, this last sentence sums up the entire album. "Heavy Weather" is a remarkable masterpiece. The band's ability to package so much talent into such a tasteful whole is truly commendable.

Originally posted on www.progenrock.com