Heavy Weather

4.0 - Sounds like the soundtrack to a 1981 cop comedy, maybe starring Dustin Hoffman and Danny Glover. They have to solve a murder case involving Colombian drug dealers. A wealthy heiress is the love interest. She’s modestly hot in a big-haired 80s way. There’s one sex scene where she’s wearing ridiculous lingerie and we see her tits for half a second. There’s a car chase, a couple explosions, one drunken evening that makes the main character question his choices, finally he cracks the case, the bad guys go to jail, he says goodbye to his partner and the girl. The last scene shows him moving back out West, giving up the cop grind, to work as a ranch hand.

Pretty good. Really great structure and song writing. Excellent musicianship. The songs aren't really my bag, but it's great music to analyze.

It frustrates me that out of the limited amount of jazz on this list, we get this. With all due respect, it's the most background music, white-people-dinner-party type jazz you can get. Not that it's terrible, it's fine, but not engaging in the slightest. I wonder why this was included when so many others were left out? (reads the wiki entry) "the band's most commercially successful album"..."one of the best sellers in the Columbia jazz catalog"..."the opening track was a significant commercial success"... ah there we go...the creator of the book didn't know anything about jazz and so resorted to throwing in some Miles Davis and Coltrane that everyone knows, and then skimming the best sellers to pad it out. Of course.

Well, Jaco Pistorious is an amazing bassist. The album is a bit meh though. Easy listening performed by geniuses.

And today’s forecast is bland with possible schmooz later.

This album is great but I don't think it's the best fusion album of all time. That being said, Birdland is a pretty iconic first track (even if I do prefer the Maynard Ferguson version). A Remark You Made is likewise a standout track.I really love Pastorius' tone and it's just an excellent ballad. My other favorite track is the final song Havona, which is a really unique song and a great way to end the album. Overall, I think the production limits the album. Compositionally it's amazing, but some of the songs don't hit quite as hard as they ought to. That being said, there is certainly a reason it's a classic fusion album. Birdland: 9.5/10 A Remark You Made: 9.5/10 Teen Town: 7.5/10 Harlequin: 7.5/10 Palladium: 8.5/10 The Juggler: 8/10 Havona: 9/10 Decent 8/10

"Jazz Odyssey." That was the answer offered by Spinal Tap bassist when the band found themselves short of a guitar player. The result was a hilarious mix of well-intentioned attempts at virtuosity and well-pissed fans. This time though, a Spinal Tap fan was not giving a disapproving thumbs-down to a vision quest of jazz and psychedelia. Weather Report featured Jaco Pastorius, the man who was oft deemed the Hendrix of bass, and Heavy Weather is chock full of reasons why and how he earned that title. Melodic one moment, and tastefully dissonant the next, with a good amount of percussivity, Pastorius managed to display his range while still playing well with others. Tracks like Harlequin gave free reign to the sax, piano and keyboards (?) all laying atop snaking basslines that were melodic in their own right. If the first listen was a monolithic odyssey, the second run on this record allowed for this writer to be introduced to each track as individual works, whether it was the frenetic, tambourine-driven Birdland or the contemplative Rumba on side-B, this record proves to be one that keeps on giving. There will be something new to take away from each listen, from each instrument. I can't wait to do this a third time.

While I had heard Birdland before (in music history class), the rest of the album was not very memorable. Maybe I’d spin it again when I’m looking for upbeat work music, but honestly it just wasn’t that interesting.

"Heavy Weather" is a great example of a jazz fusion record that has such a good vibe that it's no wonder why it's one of the most successful and acclaimed records of the genre. The opener, "Birdland", has Joe Zawinul and Jaco Pastorius mixing piano and fretless bass as the signiture sound of the band. Joined by Wayne Shorter, Alex Acuña and Manolo Badrena, what you have is a dream team of jazz, and songs like "Teen Town" and "Palladíum" are unforgetable classics of the style.

Jaco is so good. I had heard of him, and was familiar with his style, but didn't realize this was his band. I do love fusion jazz.

When I was in High School, I went through an 80s jazz fusion phase from Youtube recommendations. I'm sure the likes of Casiopea blew up in other people's feeds as well. Jazz tried to be pop-accessible a couple decades earlier, but that style has long since sounded dated: barebones, predictable, and repetitive. The mid-60s brought a wave of rock musicians incorporated jazz into their music for various purposes, but those songs were either catchy pop tunes, grand prog or jam compositions, or just straight out weird (Frank Zappa, Soft Machine, Miles Davis). What Weather Report does here is smoothly incorporate rock instrumentation and recent synth developments to enhance the cool jazz experience. It's not like they're the first to do this, but I consider them to be the strongest out of everyone who came before them. With Jeff Beck, I'm focused on the guitar work and atmosphere. With Steely Dan, it's about the pop hooks and mood. But here, I can appreciate the whole group and the development of their compositions over time. It's smooth and natural with quiet and loud moments, funky grooves and electrifying synths, to make each track feel alive. Song structure is surely inspired by TV and movie soundtracks. "Teen Town" definitely sounds like a theme for some crime show. Only weak song is "The Juggler" but it couldn't even annoy me at my worst with how low key it is. The record works as a coherent experience. Starts off with one of the most popular jazz standards of all time, and from there takes you through an easy-going, short (37 minutes), yet fun adventure. You're free to pay attention or space out: it's all the same enjoyment. Giving it 5 stars for being the most put-together jazz fusion record I've heard. Besides "Birdland", none of the songs blow away my expectations, but it's all unique, intriguing, and well thought-out, offering diversity and innovation.

Don’t love 70s jazz but it felt capable

- easy listening, some spicier tracks but overall chilled. - bigband not my thing, solos a little muddy. - Drums are the standout, maybe followed by piano.

Weather report: cloudy sky with little visibility of the stars

Not in the mood, not sure what mood I would have to be in actually.

in choosing to go through this list i thought i might broaden my musical horizons. what it has actually done has entrench my previous opinions and the list has become a chore of forcing myself to listen to things that i know quite quickly that i don't like. case in point, this jazz willy waving nonsense.

No. 70/1001 Birdland 3/5 A Remark You Made 3/5 Teen Town 3/5 Harlequin 2/5 Rumba Mama 2/5 Palladium 2/5 The Juggler 2/5 Havona 2/5 Average: 2,38 Jazz album that is ok, but didn't really excite me at all.

RIP Jaco

Ein Jazzklassiker! Sehr gut.

wow

6 estrellas nomás por los lolz. y por subir el promedio. consumí esto irónicamente, es música para la hora de la comida, jazz de programa de tv. fenomenal.

LOOOOVED this. The bass, the drums, the grooves, everything.

This is awesome. Didn't know about the existence of this band and ended up hearing this album and others multiple times.

one of the first jazz super groups - incredible album, great background music.

A true masterpiece, timeless, a jewel for the ages. Let's give it 10 stars!

I love this album! Weather Report slaps.

classic - love it

Brilliant! Jazz funk, constant tap your foot stuff, big fan

Tydzien instrumentalny na liscie trwa w najlepsze, tym razem z poteznymi jojowymi referencjami, bo grany jest heavy weather bedacy siodmym studyjnym krazkiem jazzowej bandy weather report pod przewodnictwem pana Zawinula, ktory juz sie pojawil na liscie na plycie Davisa, ale zdecydowanie nie jest to krazek jednej osoby, bo w sklad zespolu wchodza takie nazwiska jak Wayne Shorter, wiec legendarna saksa, Jaco Pastorius na basie, Alex Acuña drumsy i Manolo Badrena tamburyniarz i perkusja, wiec paleta charakterow zaowocowala roznorodnymi kompozycjami, bo kazdy z czlonkow ma swoj kawalek, ktorych lacznie jest 8 na 37 minutach, co jednak najbardziej mnie urzeklo podczas odsluchu, to idealny balans na granicy improwizacji a kompozycji, ktora ma charakteryzowac fussion, no i nie mozna zapomniec o wykorzystaniu ciekawych instrumentow, bo klawisze Zawinula, to pianinko, elektryczna klawiaturka, jak i konsola synthowa, tak samo z saksa pojawia sie zarowno w wersji tenorowej jak i sopranowej, podobnie Jaco gral glownie na basie i to jeszcze bezprogowym, ale na otwierajacym birdlandzie gra on na mandoloncelle, wiec specyficzna wloska lutnia, grajaca dosc niskie tony, krazek niesamowicie lekki, raczej utrzymany w dosc szybkim tempie, a jednoczesnie przepelniony ciekawym wielowarstwowym brzmieniem, ktore jednak nie zabija energii ktora wrecz bije z poszczegolnych instrumentow, ale najbardziej czuc to z grania pana Jaco, ktorego kawalki sa dla mnie hajlajtami albumu, wiec na plejke leci otwierajacy birdland i zamkykajacy havona, ciekawy lore piece na temat pana Jaco, to fakt ze mial dziwne hobby polegajace na szukaniu barowych bojek, wiec prawie jak w fajt klubie, takie hobby z pewnoscia nie sprzyja zdrowotnosci, bo w wieku 35 lat zakonczyl swoj zywot przed wrotami jednego z barow, swietny basista i ciekawa postac z tego ktotkiego opisu

Unexpected

Veeery cool !

Surprisingly good, has Supertramp vibes with the wide use of instruments Instrumental + , jazz, so good, I love it!!

A jazz fusion classic. Jaco Pastorious is so good, such a unique bass sound. Of course « Birdland » is a true masterpiece in itself but the whole album is really good.

Wow! What a nice surplice. This was excellent. I see why they call the genre 'fusion.' Jazzy and funky and kinda perfect for early mornings. Will definitely return to this quite a bit.

HUGE FAN. I loved the jazz/rock fusion. Absolutely amazing album. 10/10.

I consider A Remark You Made one of the greatest compositions ever.

Great album. Cool grooves. Didn't know what to expect. Every song puts you in a good mood. Can't wait to see what the rest of my group thinks about this.

This was my first introduction to Jaco Pastorius. I love this album. This is an important recording due to it's commercial success and many folks intro into fusion jazz. It contains elements of jazz, latin, rock, and soul music. I definitely have a sentimental connection to this album and have listened to it many time since my introduction in the early '80s. I listen to this as great musicians interacting with each other and no one artist is better than the next.

Mostly hooky with a 90% chance of sweet and tuneful melodies. The groves are ebullient and some of the crescendos nearly orgiastic – these cats were having a blast it seems and were fearless in charting a new course for jazz or pop music. It's not just a kinder, gentler approach to fusion, but precise and excellent on its own terms, with at times otherworldly playing.

a Weather Report classic

А почему мы вдруг резко решили уйти от альтернативы и тяжеляка, причём так кардинально? Неужто скучные альбомы кончились?)) У меня ещё на первом треке кажется случился снос башни. Звучит как что-то среднее между аниме-опенингом, песни из интро к шоу Леттермана и заставки программы Время (Время вперёд, короче). Так быстро, стремительно, эклектично пронеслись эти 6 минут. Но остальные треки как-то поскучнее оказались. Зато там есть потрясные соляки на безладовом басе! Это прям мммм, аааа, конфетка. Да и просто фоном он звучит офигенно, в Harlequin, например. Так, середина. Что такое Rumba Mama? Это кто-то на диктофон записывал каких-то латиносов, или что?)) Как-то странно... И немного не туда. Но как разгрузка в середине альбома - чётко. Если подводить итог, то в целом альбом классный. Его не стыдно включить на виниле на домашней тусе, можно смело добавить пару треков в повседневный плейлист. Много разных жанров намешано. К концу вообще в какой-то спейс джаз ушло, ну или что-то подобное. Прикольно, неожиданно. Если ругать за что-то - только если за какую-то странную румбу. Не из этой оперы вообще, глубинный смысл не понят.

Более электронный джаз, который довольно бойко и круто влетает в тебя

Okay, this is cooool. Obvious five stars for atmospheric instrumental jazz with just enough synth to keep you on your toes.

This album is legendary. I love every second of it for years now. Thank you for giving me this album today. It will be a nice re-listening.

YESSSSS! JACO!!!!! Every song on here is beautiful and I love this mess. Teen Town kills it. Havona is so good. Damn this album is just so tight.

Jazz had been led astray by the mid to late 1970s. So many sub-genres had popped up, lending itself to curiosity and dissension and many of the genre's luminaries were either fusing themselves to the changing times, clinging on hopelessly to past primes or were long dead/approaching death. Clearly, jazz was in need of a weather report. While the group itself were not new and most of the members were veterans of the scene, it is no stretch to consider Heavy Weather to be a great first album to get in touch with the band's stylings. An appropriate mixture of what was past and then-present, Heavy Weather neither offends nor becomes pretentious, becoming one of the best representatives of post-fusion jazz in the process. There is plenty to like and plenty to get ahold of in either the standard album or the expanded version (the added on live tracks are no nuisance) and the curious minded would not have a problem with Heavy Weather if they give it the time it richly deserves. P. S. the album cover kicks ass.

Hell yeah. Havona slaps 4.5/5

one of my favorite fusion albums — a masterpiece from beginning to end - 10/10

Good

Love Birdland.

Not bad was pretty impressed.

Have never heard of this one, feels jazzy, but with a heavy-handed 70's classic rock backing. Interesting for sure but I don't think im a personal fan of this genre, let's see. This first track has an extremely hopeful feel to it, is actually putting me into a happier mood, rare for music to create that emotion for me. Similar to the Cowboy Bebop OST. I actually like this album A LOT. This is most likely the first album I've never heard of before that I give a 5 rating. There's a slightly excessive use of bongos, I'd like to hear more variation in the choices of secondary percussion. Still, the level of layering on most of these songs is absolutely incredible. Very tight compositions here.

Classic Jazz nice!!!!!!!

Finally, something that is truly brand new to me! I really enjoyed this, will listen to more by Weather Report. It's just good vibes.

HOOOOOOOO BABY THIS IS FIRE. I didnt even realize this was Jaco until the 2nd or 3rd listen. Absolute classic and will be returning to this many times in the future

Very good jazz fusion. Easy and fun listening to this. Good performances as well. Very cool! Will come back to this.

Fretless bass sounds like a wet fart. But a good one. Hypnotic. RIP Jaco ❤️

Album Art 10/10 that is one of the most unique covers I have ever seen I want that to be the art on the deck of my next snowboard. The sounds like the Local on the 7s from the Weather Channel back in the 90s but on steroids. Jazz fusion may be my new favorite genre of music. Any album that is so enjoyable with only instrumentals will always be a 5 star for me.

Absolute firecracker of an album. Starts out hot as a fireball and quickly switches to a cooler tempo with A Remark You Made and then builds and builds back up to super hot fire before ending with Havona. The Orioles need to get the rights to Birdland and make an 80s themed hype video using it and use it around the ballpark to get the fans jazzed up. This album is incredible. Every instrument had time to shine and took full advantage of the spotlight. The drummer deserves a special accolade because that man kept driving the beat without a single hesitation or slip up.

Jazz - 1977

Great album. One of my favourite jazz albums. As a bass player in a life far, far away, Jaco was always an inspiration. His playing on Teen Town still floors me. The musicianship is top notch. 5 star classic.

Angenehme Hintergrundmusik

Top!

anything with jaco is an instant 5 star

Weather Report is a classic jazz staple and this album is no exception to that. Five stars, no notes, perfection

Another favorite from 40 years ago. Highly produced and commercial, every song is memorable 5 stars

When all the other 70’s music got to be soooo stupid, there was always great jazz from Weather Report. Never disappointed.

jesus when you know you know thank god for jazz where is the vinyl

I was convinced that I'd like this going in, and my opinion hasn't changed. It's a little "out there" so this album probably isn't great for ad hoc listening, but this is definitely a groove I can dig.

I LOVE new age jazz so much man its so good. a remark you made has to be one of my all time favourite songs its so cool in a heyo daddio kind of way. like im smoking a cigarette rn as i walk down the street as the sun sets i love it i love it i love it

you already gave me this shit motherfucker c'mon

I liked it a lot. To bass players, Jaco is as iconic as Jimi Hendrix is to guitarists. However to some, being a legendary bass player is about as impressive as being a legendary dentist. I thought it was a really interesting album and packed a lot into just 37 mins.

music perfect for playing in background (ambient)

Awesome accessible start but quickly gets a bit jazzy for me. 4 stars are mostly in the strength of Birdland.

not something i super dig, but it's good for what it is, 4

Fluid and delightfully arranged. Some very pleasant melodic phrasing. Joe Zawinul's solos are ethereal and vibrant - classy stuff.

Good! Jazzy!

Good funky jazz. Not going to be on any list of favorite albums I'll ever make, but it's the sort of thing you wouldn't be upset if it came on as background music

Siento que esto es jazz con algo de drogas. De hecho cuando inició el disco, no supe que esperar, ya después me di cuenta de qué era. Como lo he dicho antes, el jazz aún no logra atraparme, así que el disco lo escuché con poca atención. Sin embargo, sí me gustan las variaciones y que suene animado, muy uptempo (???). "Rumba Mama" está padre por su inclusión de los tambores que se escuchan, "Palladium" porque de repente tiene unos arranques padres, pero yo creo que la que más me gustó sí fue "Birdland". Música como para cena animada o con show, no sé, algo así. 7.5/10

NICE JAZZ

Fun jazz album! Will absolutely listen to again

Pues chido y todo, perobpues sí la escuché más como de fondo. harlequin y rumba mama fueron las que más me gustaron. Y el radio despues del disco me mostró muchas canciones que me gustaron, mood: gracias weather report, por lo d que me mostró un radio interesante y por dar tantos samples a los del lofi y toda esa onditabdel pop hypnagogico. Lel

Great album. Brings back a lot of memories. Not my favorite Jazz Style.

as predicted, heavy weather rolled in with a high pressure system that almost derailed everything during track one but then it stabilized and provided a nice 68 degree and sunshiny album. I give it Four 1980's Bruce Asbury's

Really enjoyed this. Just into ****

// Favs: A Remark You Made Score: Light to Decent 4

Haven't felt such funk in a long time.

Great jazz album. Very pop like feel. Absolutely love the saxophones.

?

The synth sounds a bit dated, but this album is a fusion masterpiece featuring acrobatic musicianship and great exploratory passages.

Jazz fusion

7/10

I can't stop humming Birdland. This album is amazing.

Enjoyable music to listen to. Very jazzy. I just didn't vibe with all the songs.

Turned off by the title and the album cover; upon starting the first track I realized that I was actually very familiar with Zawinul and his Jazz Fusion! I played a lot of this in Jazz Band growing up. I guess that's what I get, judging an album by its cover!

Jazz fusion. Está entretenido.

Wow, a very funky album. Mildly to moderately enjoyable. I remember playing Birdland on jazz flute as a kid, which was some unexpected nostalgia...and probably the biggest reason it was my favorite track. All of these songs aren't at what I'd call "legendary" status, but they're all very solid. I certainly understand why the album is on this list. This was very much worth the listen.

mes colocs ont du se demander ce qu’il se passait pour que j’écoute de tels solos de saxophone un samedi midi

A cause de Coltrane, je pensais que le jazz n'était pas trop mon style. En fait je kiffe bien !

Le jazz c'est mieux quand on joue pas des notes au hasard je trouve