With the rediscovery of jazz and fusion roots by a new generation, Weather Report stands out as one of the most influential artists of the genre. Known as a jazz/fusion supergroup, Weather Report's key players are at the t... more »op of the list of "Who's Who" in jazz/fusion. Numbered among their alumni are fusion stalwarts Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Peter Erskine, Jaco Pastorius and Alphonso Johnson. With a long career that spawned a host of significant recordings, Mysterious Voyages pays tribute to one of the most important bodies of work in the history of jazz/fusion. Including performances by: Marcus Miller, Scott Henderson, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, Hiram Bullock, Vinnie Colaiuta, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Fiuczynski, Michael Landau, Bill Evans, Scott Kinsey and more.« less
With the rediscovery of jazz and fusion roots by a new generation, Weather Report stands out as one of the most influential artists of the genre. Known as a jazz/fusion supergroup, Weather Report's key players are at the top of the list of "Who's Who" in jazz/fusion. Numbered among their alumni are fusion stalwarts Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Peter Erskine, Jaco Pastorius and Alphonso Johnson. With a long career that spawned a host of significant recordings, Mysterious Voyages pays tribute to one of the most important bodies of work in the history of jazz/fusion. Including performances by: Marcus Miller, Scott Henderson, Omar Hakim, Dennis Chambers, Hiram Bullock, Vinnie Colaiuta, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Fiuczynski, Michael Landau, Bill Evans, Scott Kinsey and more.
CD Reviews
One of the great things about this disc . . .
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 08/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
". . . is that it introduces listeners to musicians and bands they'd be unlikely to encounter stateside. For example, who in the US has ever heard (of) the band White House? I know I hadn't before encountering them on this tribute disc, and I'm very glad to make their acquaintance. Featuring some of the best young improvisers on the new Dutch jazz scene, including Yuri Honing on soprano and tenor sax (I do have a duo disc with him and Misha Mengleberg--very nice), Michiel Bortslap on piano, Rhodes, and Korg M 1 (another player not unknown stateside), Boudewijn Lucas on bass, shekere, and loop programming, Joost Lijbaart on drums, and Bart Fermie, percussion and voice (these latter three probably almost unknown in the US), this band creates a very attractive vibe and soundscape, kinda like if Medicine Wheel and the Claudia Quintet met and kissed, with a dollop of Benoit Delbecq and Omar Sosa (!) thrown in. Their track "Bombay" is my favorite, and I'm thrilled to have heard their unique music. A smart stateside label, such as Palmetto, should snatch them up.
What we've got here is a compilation disc featuring an incredibly wide assemblage of musicians, most of whom, although likely unknown to listeners, have not only been influenced by Weather Report, but have gone on to create spectacular and unique music that ventures far beyond that of their mentors.
Take for example Acoustic Mania, a duo comprising Antonio Foricione on nylon string guitar (I have a couple of wonderful discs by him) and Neil Stacey on guitar synthesizer (a name new to me). They do a spectacular version of "Birdland." This English-based duo has played and toured with John McLaughlin, and Martin Taylor, and other guitar-based groups.
"Scarlet Woman," featuring guitar wizard Torsten de Winkle; Janek Gwizdala, electric bass and programming; Audan Waage, trumpet; and Scott Kinsey, keyboards, also shines. This group puts many US jazz fusion outfits to shame. Indeed, one of the most impressive things about this disc is its showcasing of a wide variety of European acts that desperately deserve a hearing in the US.
Other standouts include "White Woods" by Tony Grey featuring Romain Collin, keyboards; Walter Smith III, sax; David Fiuczynski, guitar (someone almost always worth hearing); and Kenwood Dennard, drums; "Overlook Hotel" by Slop Shop, a group founded by Peter Schwalm, a Brian Eno collaborator; Clive Stevens' "Beat 17," perhaps the finest track on the album, featuring Stevens on keyboards, sax, and WX7-Midi-Wind Controller; Lincoln Goines, bass; Frank Colon, percussion; and Steve Garbory, sound design. But there's not a bad track on the entire disc. It's clear the producer Ulrich Vormehr searched far and wide for the best of Weather Report's heirs, and the results he achieved are nothing short of spectacular.
I had rather serious doubts about this project, but listening to a few samples convinced me that this was a serious project, not just some warmed over thrown together rip-off trying to capitalize on the name and reputation of perhaps the greatest jazz/rock fusion band ever.
Entirely worth checking out."
Must Have
Squirreldawg | Jackson, MS | 08/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a fan of Weather Report, you need to have this in your collection. The tributes are masterfully played and true to the spirit of the music. Modern jazz at its finest."
Most Excellent!!
GZ | usa | 05/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a longtime Weather Report fan, I of course had to get this. What is great is just how much I like it. Two longplaying discs of quite impressive renditions of WP played by excellent musicians lending their own bent and air.
My hesitation at first due to the fact that this is a tribute album were swept aside from the first song, this is some great stuff here!
After a good 9 or 10 months of listening to this, all I can say is that it is still in my top 3 discs to just throw on and enjoy.
The recording quality is very good. Excellent entertainment value IMO."
Eclectic Aggregation of Musicians Exceeds Expectations
Ken Kingery | Atlanta, GA USA | 09/16/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Is EVERY song on this collection great? No. But, some ARE great and most are well above average and nearly all of them capture the spirit and essence of the timeless sound of Weather Report. I have had these 2 CDs in my car for about 10 days and continue to be impressed by the quality of the music and irrepressible energy that went into this compilation. A song-by-song review is not necessary as there are too many to review. Buy and enjoy!"
Quality recording of Weather Report's work fans have always
Tim Lookingbill | New Braunfels, TX. USA | 03/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always wished Joe Zawinul would've gone back and rerecorded all of Weather Report's albums using state of the art recording equipment and sophisticated studio and miking techniques. Wish no more.
Not only is the sound of Mysterious Voyages top shelf, but the instrumentation, arranging and improvisational styles on this 2 CD set raises Zawinul's, Pastoria's and Shorter's vision to new levels. It literaly transforms their work into a modern sound without coming off sounding like Weather Channel/Muzak soft jazz.
Hope you have a subwoofer because some of the pieces take full advantage of modern audio system dynamics. Very clean live sound with audible separation of each instrument without ear piercing tinny sounding soprano registers. A joy to crank up without distortion."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1