Joe Zawinul
Zawinul

Zawinul. This name, unique in the contemporary global music scene, is enough to silence anyone who might even consider expressing opinions on what can be done with a synth. For about thirty years now.

In this third album as a leader, Joe effectively abandons the 'third stream' exploration (classical-jazz), the soul jazz he played for nine years with Cannonball Adderley, and the classic structures of consolidated standards to begin composing astonishing alchemical magic. In fact, this record is the "number zero" of the Weather Report saga, in which we find an already very mature and refreshing embryo for the ears. 1) 'Dr Honoris Causa' has a majestic, significant, and dramatic stride on a magical carpet of Fender Rhodes piano; a "icebreaker" double bass foundation clearly Vitousian and light, functional, and delicate drumming, with sudden explosive madness that quickly subside. The theme's exposition is attributed to Earl Turbinton on the soprano, joined just below by trumpet and piano. An 'impressive' solo by Woody Shaw on the trumpet. Pure witchcraft for the ears. 2) 'In a silent way' is here in its original and therefore purer version, before Davis's violation, who would make it the buoy around which he began to rotate his spaceship. The piece was created by Zawinul during a vacation in Austria, his native land, while he was in a bedroom, with snow falling slowly and delicately outside. White and silence everywhere. All the 'starting' atmospheres of Perigeo's tracks come from this piece, a 'no time-borrowed'. This Venusian music and its atmosphere of purity are paid a 'bareheaded and respectful' tribute by the Yellow Jackets in the closing track of the album 'Peace round'. The Christmas piece 'Silent night' is indeed renamed 'In a silent night' and the arrangement is evidently redone with carbon paper. White for the occasion. 3) 'His last journey' constitutes another brief voyage of the spacecraft as a delicate tribute to the memory of grandfather Zawinul, who had just passed away. 4) 'Double image' is a track that now openly foreshadows the future explosion of Weather Report; there's ample space dedicated to the pair of double bassists exchanging powerful phrases, one with a rhythmic base and the other with the bow on the high notes. With an impressive energy base coming from rhythmic propulsion. Dedicated to what man thinks he is, in relation to what he really is. Engaging. The imprint of Vitous is very evident and you can already smell the upcoming 'Mountain in the clouds'. Zawinul's solo is outside any scheme. Like the man himself, after all. Those with character cannot have a good character, by definition. It leaves you speechless. So watch out for flies if you listen to it in the summer. 5) 'Arrival in New York' is a brief piece (1'59'') quite 'self-explanatory': these are Joe's musical impressions upon his arrival in New York. A writer describes with words. A musician with music. Now, listen to the track and tell me if you don’t see a gray sky, Miss Liberty, the ship's smoky chimneys, the ferries, and the docking noises.

The musicians employed are: Joe Chambers (yes, relative: back then it was common!), David Lee and Billy Hart for drums and percussion; George Davis on flute, Miroslav Vitous and Walter Booker on double bass, Woody Shaw on trumpet, Earl Turbinton co-opted exclusively for the soprano sax. A piece of contemporary music history.

INDISPENSABLE if you like Weather Report, Davis, Zawinul, red wine, and fettuccine.