Search - Wayne Shorter :: Super Nova

Essential Shorter

Michael Kydonieus | San Francisco, CA United States | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mostly I agree with what other reviewers have said, with a couple of differences. First of all, this is not purely a free jazz date, but the harmonic and rhythmic structures are BARELY there. Mostly it's a lot of rubato, instrumental colors and Shorter's ferocious blowing. Secondly, Shorter wasn't strictly easy listening in the Weather Report era. For examples, check out Waltz in Db on the Domino Theory album or Fast City on the Night Passage album or Manolete on the Sweetnighter album or the live side of the I Dream the Body Electric album. But in general, I agree--this is most consistently passionate playing of Shorter's career. Thirdly, I wouldn't recommend this as a bridge from rock to jazz. It's altogether too uncompromising. More like a bridge from fossilized, imprisoned-in-a-museum-behind-glass Wynton Marsalis [junk] to free jazz. If you would like to read more reviews like this, check out JazzboNotes.com.

"

An enduring free jazz landmark

The Sanity Inspector | USA | 11/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There probably wasn't much more to be done in free jazz after this disc came out in the late '60s. The fact that Shorter and his band wrung so much expressiveness and even bits of tunefulness out of this chaotic, abrasive genre at that late date is a tribute to their talent. The band included guitarist Sonny Sharrock and future Weather Report bandmates bassist Miroslav Vitous and percussionist Airto Moreira. John McLaughlin also contributes his considerable presence on one track. This is a good disc for someone ready to make the leap from pop music to pure jazz--you'll be in capable hands."

Emotionally Gripping

The Sanity Inspector | 11/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This alblum isn't an easy listening type alblum. Rather, it's complex and at times stressful, but the highs are immense and lyrical. Parts of it are incredibly emotional and powerful. The compositions, in all cases, are tight and piercing. Wayne demonstates a fierceness in this alblum that definately was absent in his "easy lisening" Weather Report era."