Weather Report
Night Passage

Magnificent album, this "Night Passage" can rightfully be considered the summa of all the musical experiences absorbed by those four 'young men' who formed the fundamental core of Weather Report.

For the record, after the splendors of the acclaimed "Heavy Weather" and the pleasant experiment "Mr. Gone," the cornerstone band of the fusion movement, composed of the talented Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, and Peter Erskine (respectively on keyboards, sax, bass, percussion), along with an additional percussionist Robert Thomas Jr. for the occasion, delves into an extremely conscious work, producing a mature piece with soft cadences, and unveiling, in eight genuine gems, a technique combined with a truly disarming expressiveness. All this is magically highlighted by soft and nuanced sounds that compose a sophisticated yet direct and engaging picture.

Leading the way is the self-titled track, characterized by a discreet rhythmic continuum in its progression; the impact is immediately softened, the keyboards and sax guide the dance towards an enticing final motif through a series of precious and playful variations on the theme (Jaco's performance is splendid, with the bass at one point seemingly completely enveloping the other instruments) that demonstrate how capable our musicians are of freely escaping the parameters that define the song form, set by themselves, only to shamelessly dive back into it as if sucked in by a force greater than themselves.

Continuing to listen, one can truly appreciate the dynamic balance characterizing the corpus of the entire work. To more intimate tracks like "Dream Clock", the twilight "Forlon", and Pastorius's famous "Three Views Of A Secret" (a simply "terrifying" triptych), decidedly sustained moments of fusion stamp are opposed, with more distinctly free-jazz passages, like the beautiful "Fast City", the entertaining "Rockin' In Rhythm" (by Duke Ellington), or the overwhelming "Port Of Entry", often adorned with the furious progressions of the individual musicians (always in great taste, and never devolving into sterile and cold attempts at self-indulgence).

In this dense and captivating work there is also room for experimentation in the last track "Madagascar", where exotic (almost wild jungle-like) atmospheres are evoked; our musicians seem to have a great time, they are fluid, they seem to want to confess they have achieved a detachment and lightness allowing them to soar on the wings of their improvisational ability. This very fluidity results in a vibrant energy, the main reason for being and the glue of this authentic masterpiece. To achieve balance requires discipline and surrender. Essentially, discipline is needed to become aware and thus channel creativity, while surrender allows the flow to cross you throughout," someone once said, whose name I don't quite remember.

One last thought goes to Joe Zawinul, recently passed away; a great musician, a wonderful person, and a life dedicated to something immense and indefinable: music.