Weather Report - This Is Jazz, Vol. 10 (1996)

A budget-priced sampler from Weather Report. Between 1970-86, Weather Report were the preeminent jazz fusion supergroup. Unfortunately, I didn't get to them until late in the game. The band was led by keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, who had both played previously with Miles Davis. No fewer than 25 other members passed through the ranks over the band's 16 year existence, most famously bassist Jaco Pastorius, who played in the group from 1976-81. In this group, you can hear how jazz fusion got from In A Silent Way to Steps Ahead and beyond. Much more experimental and less commercial than say, Head Hunters, this group took risks. Sometimes those risks worked out, sometimes they didn't, but I appreciate the effort.

For this compilation, nine tracks were selected from 7 of the band's 13 studio albums, and nothing later than 1978. Still, it isn't a bad introduction to the band.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:  The best song on the disc, and the group's most famous chart, is Birdland. Also good are Black Market, Young And Fine, and Teen Town. I don't care much for The Moors or Orange Lady, pieces that were recorded before the band fully developed their signature sound.

1. Birdland, from the album Heavy Weather (1977)
2. A Remark You Made, from the album Heavy Weather (1977)
3. Black Market, from the album Black Market (1976)
4. Man In The Green Shirt, from the album Tale Spinnin' (1975)
5. Young And Fine, from the album, Mr. Gone (1978)
6. The Moors, from the album I Sing The Body Electric (1972)
7. Mysterious Traveller, from the album Mysterious Traveller (1974)
8. Orange Lady, from the album Weather Report (1971)
9. Teen Town, from the album Heavy Weather (1977)

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None