WEATHER REPORT (1982)

"Weather Report" is the eponymously titled 10th full-length studio album by US jazz/fusion act Weather Report. The album was originally released through Columbia Records in February 1982. It's the second self-titled album in the group's discography as their debut full-length studio album, released in 1971, was also a self-titled affair. "Weather Report" is the last album to feature the rythm section of bassist Jaco Pastorius and drummer Peter Erskine.

The music on the album is unmistakably the sound of Weather Report. By now not as adventurous or cutting edge as was the case in the seventies, but still an interesting enough listen. The rythm section on the album, which in addition to Jaco Pastorius and Peter Erskine also includes percussionist Robert Thomas Jr. are tight and well playing, but as always it's the keyboard attack and saxophone playing of bandleaders Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter respectively, that define the band's sound. On this release it's especially Jaco Pastorius bass playing that I'm impressed by though.

The compositions are generally of decent quality and the album is packed in a nice organic sound production, but I don't really think there are many of the tracks that leave a lasting impression and sometimes (too often) the music is closer to complex muzak than jazz/fusion with depth. Listen to a track like "Current Affairs" for proof of that. It's pleasant enough background music, but it's not the kind of track I'd put on to listen to intriguing adventurous details. It's an issue I've had before with other albums/tracks by the band and "Weather Report" is another one to the collection of more standard quality output by Weather Report. Not really bad but not spectacular either. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.