INVITATION

I have always had mixed feelings about Jaco Pastorius. As a bass player myself, I appreciate his overwhelming talent and what he brought to the instrument. But on the whole, while his playing was phenominal, the majority of the bands and the music he chose to play just didn't match his abilities.

This live album is one of the recordings I've heard where he really could shine, with music that could really push his bass to another level.

Invitation starts the album on a high note, with Jaco playing ferociously fast behind his big band orchestra. Amerika is a nice quick bass solo on the traditional patriotic piece (but why the "k"?). The Chicken was one of Jaco's signature pieces, and this is one of the best recordings of it I've heard. Othello Molineaux' steel drums really liven the song.

The second side drops a bit in quality. The songs are somewhat more low key, and Jaco's playing, while good, just doesn't elevate the songs. And strangely, I notice that the volume levels seem to fluctuate during many of the songs.

This album has been in my collection for so long and it might have been since this live album was released some time in 1983 when I got the first version in cassette format. Only last year I got the CD version. For me personally, Jaco is not just a music player but he went beyond his bass-laying world but also in composing excellent music inviting many stellar musicians in his live records. Yes, he is a very talented and distinctive bass player where many have tried to emulate his style of bass-playing. For this department he is so unique as his bass guitar work has distinctive sound that is not similar with any bass player like Chris Squire or Geddy Lee in rock or Marcus Miller or Stanley Clarke in jazz fusion.

In this live record he collaborated with many musicians as he is performing in full big-band style. I really love with the way he plays hiss bass on he "Soul Intro / The Chicken" track. It's really enjoyable as the bass-work is dominant and unique. All music played here are performed in big-band style where brass section is quite dominant. Peter Erskine is also excellent as the solo drums was performed dynamically. What makes this album interesting is that it combined the big-band style and jazz-rock fusion. The bass solo section is also interesting to enjoy. Jaco can communicate nicely with the audience through his bass guitar work.

It's an enjoyable album and I recommend those who love jazz-rock have this album in your collection. Keep on proggin' ....

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

2,5 stars. The competent modern big band orchestra in this format with no keyboards provides an original and quite memorable sound. Brass sections, harmonica and bass guitars stand in the forefront. Bass playing is the most advanced out of all and is inspirational to many aspiring jazz bass players. The main problem is that this concert is a mixed bag of incoherent pieces - basically the longer the track is, the higher potential it has. Some shorter track are disposable and won't likely appeal to a fusion fan. Highlights are the first dynamic track with all players ready to run, "The Chicken" and the "Giant steps" from the lengthy 10-minute track because it is also quite experimental and close to fusion. Therefore 2.5 stars of otherwise a 3-star jazz album.