THE CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND

Chick Corea at ProgArchives? Well, I am very happy with it even though most his compositions are more jazz than prog but I have always admired his progressive jazz composition. I knew him for the first time through his inventive moog / synthesizer work with 'The Endless Night' from Return to Forever's 'Music Magic'. His keyboard playing style was very distinctive by the time I listened to it in late seventies. Since then I explored many albums of RTF as well as his solo work. In fact, his solo work is much more progressive than this Elektrik Band. His solo album 'The Mad Hatter' (1978) contained the best song that I love from his creations: 'Dear Allice'. The music is truly fabulous and progressive to the bone, really! Any of you know this song? You should try, my friend... The basic structure of the music is really progressive as it has many style and tempo changes. The other great composition from his solo work is 'Compadres' from his album 'Touchstone'. I think Chick Corea solo works should be featured here at this nice site.

As far as this debut album from Elektrik Band, one thing that I expected to see in the album was his unique keyboard / piano/ synthesizer work that is full of inventive notes and dynamic style. ANd yeah, this album demonstrates it nicely. As far as personal taste, I'd rather enjoy music that has curved lines in its basic structure, instead of the straight line. What I mean with straight lines are those who have one basic structure with similar pattern in its song and it is repeated over and over even though they have chorus / interlude portion. Simply said, those straight line structure are those who have a structure of A-B-A. While those with curved lines are the ones which have a structure of something like A-B-C-D or sometimes when it comes to closure they return back to A , or something like A-B-C-D-A.

Most compositions contained here in this album are in straight line structure with the exception of 'Got A Match?' (5:41) of track 5. This track represents the kind of music that I expect Chick Corea I expect always play. It has a great dynamic notes that flow through the curved line structure. Look at the opening that demonstrates his inventive keyboard work followed with relatively complex rhythm section with dynamic drumming, tight bass-line and stunning guitar solo. All musicians: John Patitucci (Electric and Acoustic Basses), Dave Weckl (Acoustic and Electric Drums, Percussion) are given fair chance to perform their skills through solo or through a complex music arrangement. The composition is truly top notch and I cannot believe they can make this such wonderful composition!

Other songs like 'Elektrik City', 'City Gate' are also very good in terms of composition as well as performing Chick's keyboard work. 'King Cockroach' is also a very good composition. It starts mellow and as the music flows it relies the melody on Chick's keyboard / piano work. In a way this composition is similar to Chick's solo work 'Compadres' from 'Touchstone' album.

Overall, I really enjoy this album as it has solid composition. For those of you with jazz background, this is a good one to have. I remember sometime in 1987 (or 1988?) I watched their gig in Singapore. It's an excellent performance and Chick is a very communicative guy. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW