THE CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND

The 80's meets Chick Corea, (the well known jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer) with new technologies and new sounds. So he takes this challenge, investigates the sounds, gets to know each device thoroughly, and make the best out of it. You may reject the 80's sound, but listening to this, you got to admit that under Chick Corea?s hands, each instrument implement its full potential.

Here are the first digital sounds of the Yamaha equipments, DX7 and alike, and let's not forget the synclavier, a monster synth at the time. The pitch wheel rules. On the drums department, we can hear the great Linn drums, and some other electronic percussion, played by drummer Dave Weckl and Chick.

In this band, Chick Corea cooperates with young musicians, than, John patitucci on bass, Dave Weckl on drums, and Scott Henderson or Carlos Rios on guitar. No need to compare to legendary RTF, they are all great on their own. I had the honor and the pleasure to see them live in Jerusalem, Israel, back in the 80's. Musicians at this caliber performing in Israel, at the peak of their career, was something really hard to get.

But this album is not just an instrument exhibition, played by great players. The album also features some excellent compositions, most written by Chick. What is great here is the simplicity on the one hand, and the complication on the other hand, simultaneously. The compositions are more varied than it may seem from the first listens. My personal taste goes to what happen toward the end of the vinyl version. Right in the climatic end of 'King Cockroach', a complicate, Jazzy composition, which builds in a way that reminds me of late RTF, come the last track, 'India Town'. On two chords, and simple, catchy melody, spanned an oriental improvisation with oriental sounds that comes from the synths and percussion. Great atmosphere here. Other listeners may note first to the two jazz-rock hymns, 'Side Walk' and 'No Zone', that actually sounds like Jazz-rock hits. (The melodies will be stuck in your mind for sure). Another highlight is 'Got a Match', a fantastic due between Chick's keyboards and John Patitucci's bass. The bass playing is total virtuoso, with fast lines on the high notes. Sure enough, this track won't be missed by true jazz enthusiasts.

One more track, 'Cool Weasel Boogie', is written by all members, really nice one, but regretfully, this track is cruelty cut off with a very annoying fade out, right in a middle of an excellent build-up from guitarist Carlos Rios. The vinyl limitations, you know...

In spite of this one failure, it's an awesome album.

P.S. since Chick Corea's work is not presented in PA, I feel the necessity to announce that this band, as RTF, is just part of the whole Chick Corea creation, which is very vast, versatile, and contain so many styles and line-ups, from duos to large ensembles, from Jazz to rock, acoustic, classical or almost classical, through written and improvised jazz... for prog listeners, I highly recommend his great creations from the 70's, 'My Spanish Heart', 'The Leprechaun' and 'The Mad Hatter', at this order, as great works, and perfect entry ticket to Chick Corea's world.