Jaco Pastorius - s/t (1976)

This album came up in the comments recently on the last Weather Report post, so here it is.  Just over 40 minutes of smoking grooves, deft arrangements and a stellar cast of guests, all wrapped around the elastic basslines of a 25-year-old virtuoso who would cast jazz fusion in his image for years to come.

Announcing itself with bass up front, and no accompaniment but Don Alias' congas on the opening version of the standard Donna Lee, Pastorius' self-titled album features only one other tune he hadn't written or co-written, a medley setting of Herbie Hancock's Speak Like A Child.  Hancock himself is heavily featured on keys throughout the album, which is heavily percussive in places, has sumptuous arrangements in others, and gives guest spotlights to everyone from Hubert Laws to Sam & Dave.  Essential summer listening.

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pw: sgtg

Jaco Pastorius at SGTG:

Weather Report - Black Market

Joni Mitchell - Mingus

Joni Mitchell - Shadows And Light

Weather Report - Black Market (1976)

Been listening to this one a lot lately, so here comes another spotlight on the ever-shifting landscape of 1970s Weather Report.  Percussion-heavy, with plenty of groove to spare, the album kicks off with the bright melodic title track, bass handled by Alphonso Johnson as is the case for most of the album.  Not so for the track that follows, though - here comes the first entry of one of the group's most auspicious arrivals, with the slippery basslines of a 24-year old Floridian who had introduced himself to Zawinul as "the greatest bass player in the world".

There's only one other Pastorious performance on this transitional (even by their standards) Weather Report album, the strutting Barbary Coast from his own pen.  Otherwise, Zawinul and Shorter turn in an increasingly slick set of funky numbers influenced by Latin and African rhythms, some more atmospheric pieces and generally set the stage for Weather Report's commercial superstardom that would follow within a year.

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pw: sgtg

Previously posted at SGTG:

s/t debut

I Sing The Body Electric

Mysterious Traveller

Joni Mitchell - Mingus (1979)

Writing collaboration between an ailing Mingus, who died shortly before its completion, and Joni Mitchell at the height of her jazz era.  The stellar cast of musicians, based around Weather Report plus Herbie Hancock, is the perfect lineup to back Joni's vocals and minimalist, percussive acoustic guitar.

Out of six tunes Mingus sang into a tape recorder for Joni, three made the album, and a fourth is her sterling setting of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat.  The remaining two are credited solely to Mitchell, but carry the spark of inspiration from the collaboration, especially God Must Be A Boogie Man.  Interspersed between the songs are audio verité recordings provided by Mingus' wife Sue, providing an intimate window into the final years of his life.  One of the most underrated albums in the Joni Mitchell canon, and a fine tribute to a jazz legend.

link

pw: sgtg

Joni Mitchell at SGTG:

Miles Of Aisles

Shadows And Light

Joni Mitchell - Shadows And Light (1980)

Metheny. Mays. Pastorius. Brecker.  Must be ECM Friday?  Not this time: it's a spotlight for, IMHO, the greatest live album ever made.  And it was released on Asylum in September 1980, a year after its recording at the Santa Barbara Bowl, where it was also filmed for a concert movie, hence the opening credits-style 'Introduction' left intact here.

At the end of the 70s, Joni Mitchell was wrapping up what has become my absolute favourite phase of her peerless career, spanning two magnificent albums, one admirably questionable double, and a lovely collaboration with a jazz legend nearing the end of his life.  All are represented here with some of their best tracks, given fresh propulsive energy by the crack team mentioned above: Hejira's great young bassist is particularly on fire throughout, to the point where I sometimes put this album on purely to listen to Jaco.  Pat Metheny's rising star confidence is a joy to listen to as well, even cheekily quoting his own 'Phase Dance' when Joni sings "...songs from the hit parade" in the first song.  Mays, Brecker and Don Alias round out an amazing band for this dream setlist, breezed through by a singer-songwriter who had utterly transcended that genre.  If you only have one Joni Mitchell album representing her 'jazz era', make it this one.

Disc 1 link
Disc 2 link