CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND: BENEATH THE MASK

This work is made in the history of ElektricBand at the time of the revolution. It always went forward by their sensibility and idea after they had announced First Album for the first time in 1986. In a word, they have taken the world that Jazz/Fusion and Chick create to the field. It was not a translation to announce the album that produced an album that sold simply and simple Jazz/Fusion.

John Patitucci of an important Bass player of the band imagined the world already besides this band and was groped time. When it often likes method that is vaguer than the plan, Chick can think the fan. The work of this ElektricBand is thought that the crack did not run between members. Music is high-quality music. However, it might be felt that the taste is a little thin for Prog Rock and the fan of this band. This band replaces the member after this work and is announcing the work. The band is replacing three members. However, Chick is not a translation that deserts the member who was on the register before. It is thought that the musician advanced respectively. Sax player's Eric Marienthal actually participates continuously in the C.C.E.B second generation. And, Bass player's John Patitucci participates in work "Time Warp" of Chick in the 90's.

The element of the indeed current work ..Music who digested.. has been splendidly finished at the time of the revolution this made album. This work is a work that listens easily very much which musician's power has come off though they are often taking an acoustic element in this band. Of course, the tune with which the tension overflows exists, too.

The control at time and the melody of the "Beneath The Mask" drum with which the dash feeling overflows are "Lifescape" of feelings that a creation preeminence "Little Things That Count" and Chick is exactly good fully loaded. ｢Free Step｣

This work is a work tried for the related musician to grope and to advance more personally.

Chick's return to electric fusion in 80-s wasn't a bad decision, but unhappily new ideas were enough just for a few albums. "Beneath The Mask " is last in line of Elektric Band's original line-up, and it's obviously this work is more great musicianship than good material.

Musicians participated on this recording all are well-known ,if not great ( personally I am quite sceptical about Eric Marienthal saxophone playing), but album is just a nice musicianship, hardly more. All compositions are unmemorable, and in too many moments guitar/sax sound is openly commercial. Chick's keyboards, being usually one of main perfect ingredient on any his album, there sounds more as just one instrument between others, and often can't save the situation.

Still not a bad album for soft fusion lovers, but far not the best Corea's album. Too soft and polished sometimes even openly cheese, sound somewhere at the end became just boring. Musicianship technique doesn't helps - album stays a bit faceless. Yes, Corea and Co. know how to play but obviously have nothing to say on this release.

A very strong 80's fusion album by Chick en co.

The album is very coherent and the solos are plenty. Great songwriting, great melodies and a wonderful production. Drummer Dave Weckl makes more use of analog/acoustic drums than before, wich makes the album sound less dated. The styles played on this album range from funk/fusion to reggae to latin, wich makes it quite diverse.

I especially like the rhythmsection of Weckl/Patitucci, wich is one of the tightest I can think of.

I really enjoy this type of fusion and it's far more progressive and adventurous than neoprogressive rock, wich emerged in the 80's. I think a lot of 90's progrockbands were listening to these kind of fusion-albums instead of Marillion.

Of the six Elektric Band studio releases, this is still my favorite. Amazing playing, great songwriting and outstanding engineering make this an incredible fusion disc.

This release is more of a band effort with Patitucci and Weckl collaborating on six of the ten songs. There is quite an assortment of tunes... funky grooves on "Beneath the Mask" and "Jammin E. Cricket, the lush atmosphere of "A Wave Goodbye", Latin influence on "Free Step", all out shredding on "Charged Particles", and the syncopated rhythms and time changes of "Illusions". The order of songs is perfect as every song compliments the next and the entire CD flows wonderfully.

This is a must-have for any fusion collection.

This album is closer to fusion than "Inside out", plenty of great synth soloing. The band plays tight, no wonder since they have played together for a couple of years. There isn't anything revolutionary on the album, it's just a well executed piece of music with soft but also fast- paced pieces. As on almost every album, you can find some Latin jazz moments, such as on the hilarious "Illusions" at the end. Contains great solos on electric piano. "One of us is over 40" has a bit of reggae feeling. not so common for jazz. "Lifescape" has nice smooth fusion licks by guitar. "Charged particle" reminds of RTF slightly, great guitar playing and quite a dynamic piece.