Most may not put Wayne Shorter on the level of Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane, but I do. When surveying the impact he made over 50 years, it’s hard not to.

A depth of knowledge that comes from long-term research, and Curt Bianchi’s passion for the music of Weather Report, is evident on every page.

David Sancious of E Street Band fame joins Ross Boissoneau to discuss career-changing work by Weather Report, Jimi Hendrix and Gustav Holst.

Wayne Shorter himself sees the “graphically arranged material of Weather Report” on ‘Weather Or Not’ as Gerry Gibbs keeping up with his “creative mission.”

From the shades of Weather Report in its opening tumble of descending chords to the inspired solo passages to the explosive ending, “The Epic” brings to mind (in retrospect) some of Pat Metheny’s through-composed material such as The Way Up. You May Also Like: Pat Metheny, “You Are” from ‘FromRead More

It’s hard to deny the electricity, enthusiasm and emotion of Afro-Cuban music, and a certain drummer out of San Francisco has captured that essence in leading a band of like-minded specialists of the music form. You May Also Like: Richard Turgeon, “My Guitar” (2020): One Track Mind

The truth is, both of the late-1990s Lenny White-led solo releases that preceded the Japanese concert featured here needed a little scuffing up, and this group happily obliges. You May Also Like: Sue Foley – ‘Pinky’s Blues’ (2021) Ellen Foley Talks ‘Bat Out of Hell,’ Ian Hunter and ‘Fighting Words’:Read More

Turns out, this was one funky ship that ran ashore. Our latest Desert Island Disc lists focus on 1970s fusion, and top vote-getters included Herbie Hancock’s thunderously groove-filled 1973 triumph Head Hunters. You May Also Like: Return to Forever’s Surprise ‘Returns’ Smartly Focused on the Past Chick Corea (1941-2021): AnRead More

Every collector has a few records that are ‘important’: bought during life-altering circumstances or maybe during a difficult time in life. Or heck, maybe some nutty karma-tidbit tossed the record into your hands. You May Also Like: ‘Elegant People: A History of the Band Weather Report,’ by Curt Bianchi: BooksRead More

by Mark Saleski Vertical Vision would remind me of Weather Report even if it didn’t contain a smokin’ reading of “Boogie Woogie Waltz.” Honest!! You May Also Like: Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People – Weather Or Not (2017) ‘Elegant People: A History of the Band Weather Report,’ by Curt Bianchi:Read More