BRIGHT SIZE LIFE

Pat Metheny's debut is not particularly one of his stronger works, but it is definitely a good album. Filled with the delicate yet speedy guitar work of the masterful Metheny himself, and the really fat, really great bass playing by the legend Jaco Pastorius. Jaco's feel for the instrument is undeniable, and his playing shows soul, conviction, and talent. Bob Moses' drums match the music perfect, but are by no means stellar (in comparison to the two other virtuosos).

Musicianship aside, the compositions usually comprise of a single melody, or two, played at the beginning and end of the song, with solos between. There is hardly anything progressive about this debut, and it is quite simply, an excellent mellow jazz album. It is actually quite soft, with nothing aggressive or angry, and very little that would be considered dark, just atmospheric, emotional, laid-back playing. The bass and guitar interplaying is an integral part of the album, and without the great musical connection between Pat and Jaco, this album would have failed miserably. But it doesn't, and in fact it works perfectly to deliver a majestic and lush finished product.

The only significant shortcoming of the album is the cosmic and spacious piano that would become a key aspect to his later works. But the album does quite well without. Bright Size Life is a very, very beautiful, and extremely compelling atmospheric, mellow jazz experience. With little progressive elements, this marks the starting point of a very fruitful, very progressive career of one of the most influential and talented jazz guitarist around.