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Five Artists Score a Slam Dunk

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 04/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any list of the top jazz releases for this year must include this live set taken from the critically-acclaimed Fall 2008 European tour of the "super-group" that was named by John McLaughlin.



The draw may be the two iconic fusion artists - Chick Corea and McLaughlin - but saxophonist Kenny Garrett has a number of outstanding solos, his work on Hymn to Andromeda is an incredible salute to "Trane," and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta emerges out of the mix with a solid style that must be heard to be fully appreciated.



Corea's introduction to Dr. Jackle is blues personified and leads to the band taking full flight with ample space to push one another to sweet solos. McLaughlin keeps his electric guitar is sizzling on Raju, The Disguise and Senor C.S., but his subtle interplay with Corea on Someday My Prince Will Come is the true gem.



Bassist Christian McBride has several very expressive acoustic solos that are grand examples of his artistry. Herbie Hancock guests on piano for In a Silent Way/It's About That Time.



The band is currently on the North American leg of its world tour, with the 2-CD release initially slated to be only available at the shows and on the record label website. This is fusion that is steeped in the history that began with Miles Davis and remains vibrant through those who helped pave the trail continuing to stride in a new direction some 40 years later."

Five Peace Band

Matthew Miller | New York, New York | 04/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Right now, jazz legends Chick Corea and John Mclaughlin are touring with their "Five Peace Band." The Five Peace Band is a fusion supergroup the likes of which has not been seen since Miles Davis created the genre some forty years ago. Chick and John are joined by Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone, Vinnie Caliuta (to be replaced by Brian Blade in America) on drums, and a personal favorite of mine, Christian McBride on bass.



When they announced the tour last year I was excited and bought tickets to see them when they came to New York as soon as they were available. I was worried briefly, though, that the group may not live up to my expectation. Although John McLauglin is without a doubt one of the most gifted guitarists ever, and a great composer, some of his recent albums have left a bit to be desired when compared to his earlier work (a few are also a bit heavy on the programmed synth for my taste). They have recently put out an album from some of the shows while they were in Europe which has put me at ease, since it is a spectacular collection of material.



Five Peace Band consists of two discs of live material divided into only eight songs (half of which are twenty minutes or longer). The extended tracks let every member of the band have a chance to really stretch out, and they do, with spectacular results. The only real problem with having such long tracks in general is that sometimes they begin to feel stale by the end; there is no reason to say in ten minutes what could be said in five. The Five Peace Band does not have this problem. Each track here follows a natural arc never wears out its welcome. Some, like the opening track "Raju," start with and maintain throughout a driving intensity. Others, like "In a Silent Way/Its About That Time" have a slower or softer intro that over the course of six or seven minutes builds into that sort of driving intensity.



Closing the album is the standard "Someday My Prince Will Come", which is a duet between Chick and John, which remains soft, lilting and beautiful from start to finish. In all cases the songs remain grossly entertaining. The bandmembers know how to listen to eachother are always interacting in interesting ways. Solos sometimes weave in and out of eachother as the musicians swap whose in front more or less as they choose to. The tracks are varied in sound as well. Although Mclaughlin continues to use the same basic subdued tone he has used on everything recently, there is a great deal of sonic variety elsewhere in the band. Chick switches from the Rhodes electric piano to the acoustic on select tracks (such as Jackie Mcleans blues, "Dr Jackle") and Christian McBride switches liberally from electric bass, to plucked or bowed acoustic. All in all, no two tracks sound the same. If that doesn't sound good on its own, then as a bonus, Herbie Hancock sits in with the band on one track, "In a Silent Way/Its About that Time" (the first time Herbie, Chick and John have played that cut together since they recorded with Miles). I don't think words can do that song justice, needless to say its worth the price of admission on its own.



I would recommend that anyone fan of jazz at all at least give this album a look. I can only hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I cannot wait to see them live."