Weather Report - Heavy Weather. 1997 Columbia Legacy (CD) (1977). This is Weather Report's most known and best selling album, one that I never truly connected with. Of course all copies I've found prior were commodity LP pressings, and usually in VG condition, which can be distracting. The 69 cent bin comes through again with this wonderful looking CD. Let's see if my viewpoint changes. The album opens with their trademark hit song 'Birdland'. This is a song we played when I was a stage band performer in high school. I didn't like it much then, and honestly, I still don't. It's too... happy I think. Something about it. The title is a misnomer as well, nothing heavy about the album whatsoever. My understanding is that Weather Report did not like to be associated with the fusion crowd, and of the albums I've heard, I have to agree with them. On Heavy Weather, the music veers closer to ECM, and even smooth jazz territory. If requested to choose a favorite track, I'd go with B2 or B4. I have yet to encounter a Weather Report album I feel compelled to keep, including their earlier avant garde works. But I'll keep trying, as I'm up for revisiting some as well as there's a few I missed altogether. (3/7)
*Kenji Mori Quintet - Firebird. 2020 Craftman / Three Blind Mice (CD) (1977). I picked this reissue up a few years ago, and had a relatively high rating on it, though recall nothing about the contents. The album starts off like a psych work though quickly gets into some boppy sax. Not really my style. The second track is Nino Rota's 'Time For Us', a pretty track that Mori's flute gives the Lloyd McNeill treatment, if not too comfortable and predictable. This leads to the two part title composition. The rhythm lays down a deep groove while Kazumi Watanabe solos on the guitar and Mori responds on recorder and sax. Nothing particularly incendiary from either though. The second half gives us a sunnier tropical feel with similar solo results. A solid entry, not really kozmigroov, not pure jazz, not fusion, but elements of all the above. I think I rated it a bit high though. Probably won't keep for the long haul but OK for now. (3/2)
*Bjorn J:Son Lindh - Ramadan. 1971 Metronome Sweden (LP). It was only a couple of years ago I revisited Cous Cous from my collection and, while it was enjoyable on an easy listening level, decided to let it go. I bought Ramadan at the same time, and presumed that it would be similar. I hadn't heard the album since acquiring it 25 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the two are very different. Ramadan is much more funky and even progressive at times. I've always enjoyed Lindh's flute work, and the key ingredient here is Kenny Hakansson on guitar. He of Kebnekaise fame. Unlike Janne Schaefer, Hakansson brings a psychedelic flair to the proceedings. Though I wish he had an opportunity to light it up more. Three of the eight tracks are more acoustic in nature and these are the middle eastern themed compositions. Otherwise it's a fine kozmigroov funky flute extravaganza. A bit surprised this album doesn't have that much cachet. It's relatively inexpensive despite never having been reissued on CD. Regardless, I'm definitely holding onto this. Features a nice gatefold cover as well. (2/25)
* - Keeping for the collection
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