CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND: BENEATH THE MASK

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.