Heavy Weather

Vrhunski album! Morat ću ga poslušati još par puta u skorije vrijeme! 4/5, 7/10

Максимально фонова музика, проте звучить гармонійно. 2,5

music is love

I didn’t realize elevator musak was a genre covered in the book. I really like jazz but this was crap

neat

I like a bit of jazz fusion as much as the next man, but I’ve never quite understood the buzz about Heavy Weather. The piece that garners the most accolades is “Birdland”, a track that makes me think of BBC sporting themes – possibly snooker – and sets the tone for an album that feels desperately safe. 5/10

Unusual bur pretty funky

This was a trippy chill album. Four stars

funkyyyyy - i like it. more like this please mr generator bot.

A quite lame jazz album. Too synth-y for its own good. Made me wonder how much cocaine had been consumed in its creation.

Album #106 Weather Report: Heavy Weather Easy-listening jazz might not be for me. So far, the only jazz from this list that I have actively enjoyed is the chaotic jazz of Charles Mingus, music which grips you and forces you to pay attention. I found Weather Report to be as gripping as an actual weather report, interesting enough, but once I got the gist of it, I zoned out. Not bad music, and there were some moments of experimentation, but ultimately an album I’m likely to forget I ever heard. Best Songs: Birdland, The Juggler, A Remark You Made Worst Song: Rumba Mama Score out of 10: 5

good stuff here 3.5/5

Another album I didn't hate, I just got so tired of. I tend to like jazz-fusion, but I don't want to sit and listen to an hour straight of it. Turned it off with 4 songs left. Might go back and finish. 2/5

Did not love it or hate it. OK instrumental background music for working. Nothing to write home about.

Good music but missed someone singing along

Birdland was a favorite growing up from my dad. Decent jazz album.

Great Jazz Fusion

chli Wild und chli irgendöppis experimentell-jazzigs. Heavy Stuff für mini Ohre. 2 Windwarmige vo Nordweste

Eich ja min ‚neui‘ musikstil. Aber so ohni vocals und biz zu jazzy-experimentell doch nöd s herzli la pöpperle

han driglost willi d'band ehrlich gseid mit fishmans verwechslet hend will di es lied namens weather report hend… erst nach lied 3 gmerkt, dass es nöd die sind – defür hani gmerkt, dassi trotzdem scho es lied vo weather report gspeicheret han und ha alles sehr gnosse… hauptsächlich de ahfang, nacher isch de zauber chli verfloge (vermuetli weg de starke windböe vo nordweste)

Anybody who spent time as a band geek has some relationship with (and hopefully some appreciation for) Birdland. But other than that, this album wasn’t able to grip me.

I love Birdland, but the rest of the album really didn’t do it for me

Amazing weather!

4.5 Terrible cover! Great album!

Nice album I like the jazz stuff

on s'emmerde

I can imagine a lot of people really hate this but I thoroughly enjoyed it tbh. I don’t know enough about this genre to confirm/deny if it’s a ‘must’ hear, but im glad I’ve listened to it.

Buddy cop music

This is bad

There were a couple of interesting tracks on this record, but overall it was pretty rough to get through. Most of the songs were just fine, but a few of them were nearly unbearable. This is the worst even of the jazz I have heard so far in this list.

I knew the popular track: Birdland. It didn’t know anything else. The album is jazz, with plenty of synth prog-rock sounds, and also some world/afro sounds. Some parts sound like they could be intro music for a TV show. Some parts are like precursors to Bella Fleck. Some tracks are a little too long/jammy for me, but that might be because I heard the extended version. I will say these artists are super talented and sound great live.

This album feels like such a product of its time (the synth! The sax!) that is almost wins me over on that alone. But, while they are obviously talented, there isn't enough here to make me eager to revisit it.

Wow, no. Sounds like generic music to score a lonely, rainy scene in a 1970s rom com no one remembers. Will Khruangbin sound this dated in 40 years?

Eh twas ok

Never heard of these guys. Turns out it’s another bloody jazz band.

favs: birdland palladium the juggler havona rating 2.5/5

They're a great band of amazing musicians who made some just okay music. You have to like jazz and appreciate the people who are in this band in order to be a fan of this. Otherwise, it's probably pretty boring! Maybe I was distracted but I just listened to this and I don't remember having listened to it. Totally washed past me, which isn't a great sign.

Nice. Nice. Niiiiice. Some real corkers here. Birdland. Rumba Mama. Enjoyable. Some is a bit dated but overall solid.

Disconcertingly dated.

I had no idea this was a jazz album or even a jazz band. A great album, I will buy the cd or vinyl for my collection.

Ok

Really fond of Birdland because I played it in college but the rest I was just kind of waiting for it to be over

The music was nice, jazzy vibe that sometimes sounded like from an old-school video game.

I know I don’t like jazz and I knew I won’t like this pretty early on in the album. But I guess since this is not the most jazzy jazz album there is, and it sounds coherent, it wasn’t that bad.

Teen town!

Very jazzy

That a nah from be dawg

The only jazz album I've listened to that sounded like more than just background music.

This thing is unbelievably boring. I did not enjoy this one bit.

Pretty cool album. Great use of sound and instruments to express emotions and artistry.

Helt kurant. Kommer neppe til å høre på igjen.

Tja, heilt OK.

Starts with what I can only describe as a game show theme song???? Then proceeds into non-stop wankery. This report just in - this is boring.

This was cool. Will revisit.

Didn't realize it was all instrumental. Honestly not sure even lyrics could have redeemed this. It has not aged well.

Interesting, but not my cup of tea. I strongly prefer the Manhattan Transfer cover of Birdland.

Not an album I would ever purchase.

It was fine background music. Slightly more interesting than your usual jazz due to the instruments used. I wouldnt actively listen to it again, but it was fine as a soundtrack to other activities. 3 stars.

Like a bland compilation of 80s TV themes and background music. Awful.

Nicht mein Genre!

4.7

I didn’t care for this- I don’t really like jazz. It always feels a bit aimless to me. The one track where there were vocals and a rumba beat perked me up, but it was short lived.

I didn’t really get this one, much of it felt like slightly better than average hold music. Perked up a few times but mostly I was not interested.

GOAT in fusion jazz!

Decent

7/10

Not bad just not my thing.

Boh sinceramente non mi ricordo nessuna canzone non mi ha lasciato niente purtroppo sono una cafona ignorante che non sa apprezzare la buona musica però c aggia fa è pure orecchiabile x carità due stelle gliele voglio mettere ma direi che ho enjoyato è veramente una menzogna clamorosa

this is the upper echelon of elevator and hold music, nothing more nothing less.

That was some cool jazz! Fun, dynamic, and interesting, this was a genuinely really unique album that showed a really cool side to the genre. The instrumental pallet is super impressive, with many instruments not being typical in jazz music, but still managing to be used in a very natural and tasteful way, and I love it when music is able to do that. This one really did surprise me, it's such an unsuspecting album and on paper it doesn't seem at appealing to me. But it really caught my attention in a way I could never have predicted, and I love getting these occasional reminders that there is still music out there that I don't even know exists yet that I will love.

Too much synth, too much sax, this sounds like the soundtrack to a 70s detective show

i like dat

This works better when they get more into the African-inspired elements. A lot of it you can almost feel decelerating into smooth jazz, which only makes me long all the more for Monk and Davis and Coltrane.

I never put my finger on why this is elevated in any meaningful way. Maybe it just hasn't aged well?

I have heard of them but couldn’t place the genre. Ah yes Jass-Fusion my beloved detested. This exceeded expectations though – Birdland is wonderful and it’s a song that I have heard for many years. The other songs were brill too but I think that is because some of them reminded me of a scene in a cheesy 90s movie where the woman and man fall onto the bed undressing and the shot changes to blousy white curtains blowing in the wind, whereas others felt like the soundtrack to a 70s detective series. It’s like the soundtrack of my youth.

Really great fusion album, which mean it's not really for everyone. Everyone feel locked in and the opening track is a really catchy track. mostly it is really about the solos so I get why allot of people might not like it.

It’s good but i’m not listening to ts on daily basis

I wish this list had more jazz on it. It's a shame that there is so much Brit pop and so little jazz. And this album counts as jazz I suppose. I'd not heard this one before so didn't really know what to expect. It's pretty bland, totally background music. The bass is good, the drums are good. But it just doesn't keep your attention. I did really like the three live tracks on the expanded version though. I don't think I would buy this if I came across it in the shop. If it started playing randomly I might let it play for a few songs and then switch to something else. It's not bad, it just...fine. 3/5

3/5

Look at that album cover! It was an enjoyable album through and through!

*insert jojo references here* jokes aside, never listened to these guys Birdland - 5/5 A Remark You Made - 5/5 Teen Town - 4/5 (too short!) Harlequin - 3/5 Rumba Mamá - 3/5 Palladium - 4/5 The Juggler - 5/5 Havona - 5/5 Average score: 4.3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i hear so much about Weather Report (not just from JJBA) so i figured i would like it more than i do currently. to my surprise, i found this a little underwhelming in some tracks, like they were maybe playing safer/more mainstream than usual? that being said, this isn't a bad album at all. i just sense this isn't their best work. i'd come back to it again i suppose

Fairly bland, sounded like an album of 70s TV theme tunes.

not really for me

Some great musicianship on this. Although, considered their most commercially successful album it’s still an acquired taste

Love it.

Название группы хорошо отражает музыку. Но хочется вернуться к альбому снова.

Some real high points, but also many other points where I came to and wondered, "How long have I been on hold?"

The first song felt a bit like a tv theme, and parts of it reminded me of the overture from Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan. I enjoyed the rest of the album but started to find it a bit boring towards the end. Fav song: Birdland Least fav: Harlequin

I really enjoyed the first song- it had movie soundtrack vibes, but the rest of the album just didn't live up to that level of fun. Favourite song: Birdland Least: Remark You Made

I still can't tell if there's any structure in these songs but it was nice

Very fresh to hear an album like this on the list

I have high standards for the year 1977. In my opinion, it's the most high-calibre year of music of all time (with 1969 and 1971 being close contenders). So anything placed into this list had better have a very convincing case for squaring up against the likes of Aja, Saturday Night Fever, Rumours, Animals, The Stranger, News Of The World, Low, Marquee Moon... And Heavy Weather absolutely stands up against the giants. It's harmonically complex, varied in texture, played with skill and sass. The composition is undeniably excellent even if you aren't a fan of jazz. Birdland has arguably evolved into a jazz/big-band staple ever since its debut on this record. It's my introduction to Weather Report, but I've heard the piece Birdland covered time and time again by jazz groups in my hometown. The melody is great, and played with a positive upbeat flourish. Maybe it's a little simple for the genre, but it's still orders of magnitude more interesting than music from the 70s punk movement. Seriously – you can't convince me that the delicate, soft-spoken beauty of the strings and horns in A Remark You Made isn't leagues ahead of the hundreds of low-skill punk imitation bands of 1977. Zawinul? Pastorius? Shorter? These musicians are about as good as they come. The bass (played by Pastorius) has a distinctive springy sound that meshes well with the other instruments. The only knock against this album is the bizarre, out-of-place Rumba Mama. And per my rating system, any albums with even a single "bad" track can't get a perfect rating. Maybe the synths are a little goofy too (see: The Juggler and Havona), but that's a minor complaint. The 80s had it much worse. 4/5 Key tracks: Birdland, A Remark You Made

It had its moments, but overall, it didn't feel very inspired.

Loved listening to this back in the day. RIP Jaco.

Forgettable

What even is this album cover? There's a giant hat, a volcano, autumn leaves, lightning, some other stuff I think? I guess that would be pretty heavy weather wouldn't it? Anyway, I liked this album. This was nice and it's right up my alley. We've got a bit of a jazz fusion thing going on here and I love that. The album's mostly instrumental, so I really only have things to say about the compositions and musical talent here, and oh boy is there some musical talent to talk about. As far as I can hear, this entire Weather Report lineup is full of talent, with all 5 members contributing something of value. Of course, I could talk about Wayne Shorter's sax work, or Alex Acuña's drumming, or Manolo Badrena's extra percussion, or especially Joe Zawinul's synth and piano work, but the real star of the show here is, of course, Jaco Pastorius. This man is widely regarded as one of the greatest bassists of all time, and I can hear why. His style is fairly unconventional, but it is so recognizable and cool that you can't help but pay attention to it. Now, this isn't actually my first album that I've gotten from this project to have him on bass, as I did get to hear some of his work on Joni Mitchell's Hejira, but that was basically teaser for what was to come here. Amazing stuff. The compositions themselves are pretty cool, but I do think they blend together a little. Additionally, there isn't really that much of an emotional core to the album, but does there really have to be? To me, Heavy Weather serves as a showcase of some exceptional musical proficiency and that's its appeal to me. I'm not going to go to this album for anything that's super emotional and metaphorical or anything. I'm coming here for some sick-ass jazz fusion pieces, and Heavy Weather is a great source for those. So, yeah, this album is cool. Light 4/5.

- this is the kind of coffee shop or jazz bar lively background music that might prompt me to notice and Shazam one of the songs, but it's not part of a genre I would choose to listen to on my own - a lot is going on, and I'm sure that could work to either the listener's benefit or detriment, depending on what they're listening for. I think this album does a good job at giving each instrument its own "turn" in more coordinated ways than just allotting a few minutes for each of the musicians to take a basic solo while playing quietly, but jaco's wild bass underneath nearly everything almost -- almost -- undermines a few of those moments - still, some of the songs have a forcefulness I wouldn't expect from a jazz album, and I was generally impressed with how well it was put together. "Havora" is a good example of coordination: when one musician is going off on a crazy solo, most of the other instruments are hanging back or holding just a sustained note while only one or two others might join in. when the piano or saxophone join the bass, it fills the space in a pleasing way, like doing a call-and-response "conversation" with the main instrument (well, main for the present moment) in some areas or just adding little accents in places where the main instrument has paused

7/10

I’m not having a good run of late. Had no interest in this album, not sure what sort of person buys this and slips it onto the turntable for their general listening pleasure. If this is Jazz Fusion I can add it to the list of genres I have no interest in pursuing. Please music gods, something rock and roll next.

Pretty cool jazz album. Rumba Mama was a surprise after lots of instrumental jazz.

Beeeeautiful

Harmless but terrible

Sounds like background or theme music

I really enjoyed this!

1.63

I remember hearing Birdland a lot when I was a kid. Though I am not a Jazz aficionado, it doesn’t hold up well for me. In fact, this feels more like Jazz for the easy listening crowd.

I'm adding this album to the bucket of "things that sound very interesting but I don't get anything out of it". Yes, that's right. I have listened to this album several times (7 to be exact) and I never had any real value out of it. Do I think it sounds great? Yes, I do think the production is really great, and I specially loved the warm sound of the bass. There is also a little sense of chaos with all the instruments and how technical they are that I can get behind. However, in general, I feel quite unimpressed about it. Regardless of how impassive my experiences were, I'm going to give it a positive score.

This album is a collection of instrumental pieces that seem very much like non diegetic music. Not complaining, just strange. A couple of the songs I actually recognized, though I couldn’t tell you from where. All that said, this album was certainly interesting. Different styles and settings gave this album a feeling of watching a movie without the movie. You could hear the scenes come to life thanks to their talent and charm in the instruments. With influences from jazz and funk to some African tribal interspersed, it was fun. Just don’t think it’ll be something I seek out again.

This was not at all what I was expecting. I absolutely loved the sound and the ambience it created. I would give it a 4.5, but I'll bump it down to 4 for no real reason.

This seemed totally fine. I don't know why I need to listen to this before I die. This would be at home in any fancy hotel lobby bar.

Sort of helps understand why this jazz fusion stuff is all over 80s movies that was what people were into it. It clearly has not lasted, no doubt about the skill involved but it does not make for a compelling listen most of the time 2*

I recognized Birdland right off the bat. When I went to King Gizzard's Field of Vision festival in Buena Vista, Colorado, they had a lot of bands there performing. One of the bands was the Buena Vista High School Jazz Band and we decided to go check it out. We were pleasantly surprised that their jazz band was quite good. One of the songs they played while we laid on the grass in the summer sun was Birdland and it made me feel good. This was a pleasant jazz fusion record and it started my Monday off just right.

This is a gem. So cool. Its super varied and kind of trippy. I like the moments where it kind of feels conventional and then it totally switches to weird keys and synths. Birdland is obviously incredible. I really loved all of the live tracks too. I had a blast with this one. I listened to it twice this morning.

Jazzy and funky, not bad but some of the tracks go on a bit

Electronic jazz goes bleep bloop.

I’ve been on a weird run of albums, 6 straight from the mid/late 70’s including this one. None of them have been that great, to be honest. This isn’t amazing either but it’s way better than the others I have recently had (aside from the Jeff Buckley album I got). There’s a lot here and they are tight as a unit. I’ve grown over the years to appreciate jazz much more, and we can add this album to the pile. 4-stars

Not a fan of jazz so it's automatically a no from me

I sometimes feel like the only bassist never to have been turned on by Jaco. Respect the artistic craft and ability, but don't love the music it lent itself to (Joni Mitchell albums aside!) and Heavy Weather is a perfect representation of the type of fusion which both bores and annoys me. This is how to suck all the energy and danger out of jazz. A whole album of Rumba Mama with fat bass riffs would have been cool. Perfect for playing Gran Turismo!

Weather Report is fair with mild temperatures.

Ohhhh I wish I liked this but every song after Birdland just went on and on. I couldn’t finish it. Not a huge jazz guy.

Some super gorgeous parts, especially a remark you made, but overall not the most consistent jazz album.

Good but won’t listen again so low rating

Grand! Just a chill instrumental album.

1. Birdland - 7 From instrumentally brilliant, to your call is very important to us. Please stay on the line and your call will be answered in the order in which it was received. To instrumentally brilliant again. There's a lot to like on here: piano, sax, the electric guitar. Solid track. 2. A Remark You Made - 6 Solid slow jazz. The opening few notes very much reminds me of Us and Them by Pink Floyd. Sax is definitely the highlight on the track but the bass provides a lot of character to it as well. 3. Teen Town - 4 The bass is nice as are the drums but the drums feel a little too random and the supporting instruments I'm not very fond of on this track. 4. Harlequin - 2 Track is too quiet and the audio is poorly balanced on it. Not a lot too it. If you played a game on the PS1 that had a "city at late night walking through a rough neighbourhood" scene, this could be the theme for it. 5. Rumba Mama - 6 Good sound. Brilliant drumming. Excellent vocals. Kind of wish the track was a bit longer. 6. Palladium - 8 Really good jazz. Lot to like here between the instruments, especially between the bass and brass. 7. The Juggler - 5 At times this track is brilliant but at other times it's absolutely awful. So hard to pin a rating to it but it averages itself out in the end. 8. Havona - 6 It's much like The Juggler but better over the course of the whole track. Intro is an absolutely woeful sound however. Average Rating: 5.50 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 2.75 Rounded Up: 3 Stars

Cool

I was only familiar with the track "Birdland" prior to today's undertaking, which I very much enjoy, but I've never got round to checking this album out. I'm glad that opportunity has come around today, as this is such a radiant, joyful experience all the way through. An album such as this doesn't need vocals to ingrain its catchy sensibilities into you - everything from the electric piano, synthesisers, bass, saxophone, conga drums and even the hand clapping, are transcendent and each possess their own unique abilities to worm their way into your ears. You're consistently left intrigued as to the direction of travel, whilst the songs remain anchored to a central idea and don't ever exude any self-indulgence as can be an issue with some jazz fusion. Everything on here feels vital and like it has a purpose. I'll be purchasing this.

This is a landmark album and group in Jazz Fusion. The compositions, instrumentation, and performances are absolutely outstanding. This was cutting edge in the 70s and still holds up. Sure the synths sound a little cheesy thanks to getting overused in the 80s, but man, you got Jaco Pastorious ripping it up on bass, Shorter on sax, and Zawinul on synth- these dudes are literally legends of jazz. 5⭐️

A landmark album in the jazz fusion genre. How exciting that is really depends on you. It's clearly building off of the merger of jazz and rock that was explored by Miles Davis and influenced so many. There are clearly echoes of prog rock bands here as well. So I get that this will appeal to a certain kind of person and on some level I kind of like it too. But also, it's a bit boring. And 1977 is pretty late to pretend that this is all that innovative I think. Maybe it helps popularize the style but I don't know if that's saying much considering it's not such a popular genre. But hey, I don't hate it and O particularly liked the final track.

Meh.

Having never heard a Weather Report album before I was concerned that it would be another one of those undecipherable jazz fusion albums of which I detest. It was not. The first four songs were melodic and comforting. It was when Rumba Mama played that things got a bit sketchy. Both that song and The Juggler annoyed me greatly but it was quickly followed up by a soothing Havana. Weather Report now has a new fan.

Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Nein, einfach nur nein.

Jazzy and forgettable.

Cool Jazz. Nice to listen to on a Saturday morning!

A tan Stetson the height of a supercell cumulonimbus and weighing as much as a fleet of jumbo jets crosses the bay, a raging electrical storm under its brim. The city, already reeling from the unfortunate appearance of absolutely fucking massive autumnal red maple leaves, steels itself for another attack. What that city on the cusp of the Stetson’s shadow doesn’t know – how could it? – is that the gargantuan storm-carrying Boss of the Plains is also a volcano. Yeah. Let that sink in. Like its cover, this album – produced by an ensemble cast of jazz superstars – feels better understood as just that: a feeling. Because here is the sound of a thousand movies, sitcoms, infomercials and faux-nostalgic recreations colliding in one cohesive feeling. Or, perhaps more accurately, converging at the source. Have I heard “Birdland” before, or only its echoes? Is “A remark you made” made more or less beautiful for knowing its derivatives so well? Is “Harlequin” from the credit sequence of Outrun or do I just want it to be? Weather Report’s portents were strong; this record’s influence anticipates a lot of what I think of when I think of early-80s American cultural imperialism. The occupants of the city in the shadow of the Stetson salute you, Weather Report. Forecasting is as much art as it is science.

so great to hear birdland how it’s supposed to sound and not the high school marching band version

do you ever meet someone and think wow i bet you have cool parents, can you introduce me to your parents?? that's me with this album. I want to see songs that sampled this album, but this album could die in a ditch and I wouldn't care.

Listening notes: - Love the vibe of the album art and that the album cover tells us exactly what we're in for. - I ! LOVE ! WEATHER ! CHANNEL ! MUSIC ! - Rumba Mama in the middle of all of this? Incredible. Mixes it up then gets back to regularly scheduled programming. - I love every single song on this album Final thoughts: Perfect album. I have zero criticism.

Weird and wonderful. Listenable, but something I'd have to be in the mood for.

First of all. SICK album cover

chato

i mean, as linhas de baixo do jaco pastorius são incríveis, mas esse álbum tem cheiro de mofo. talvez cresça com mais audições, mas nessa primeira me soou datado, chato, cafona. e olha que eu adoro jazz fusion (desde masayoshi takanaka a herbie hacock, passando por zappa). me lembrou algo que eu detesto e talvez precise ressignificar: jazz-pop nacional (ivan lins, guilherme arantes e outros).

schon paar Banger aber auch längen

I like it. I bought it. This was the second album of theirs I bought, the first was Mysterious Traveler (which I thought was better than this one). Both good albums to have in my collection. Good music!

This was nice to have in the background. Good energy.

I feel bad rating this poorly but I just don't like jazz.

It was meh...

Wow that was a long 37 minutes! There's something about electronic jazz that rubs me the wrong way and I'm a jazz fan. I think that this was too electric, too slick and too over-produced for me. It's also pretty bland and makes me think of cheesy hold music when you're having to deal with customer service somewhere. I remember this making a big splash back in the day so I tried to like it but it just wasn't going to happen. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.

Ya bu da o kadar olmadı ki bende… heavy weather diye bir şarkı bar başka bir grubun o güzel bak xd

Probably a good album for this genre, I just don't like this genre. 2 stars or D.

The addition of bassist extraordinaire Jaco Pastorius to an already stacked Jazz supergroup does make this an absolute must-listen. During my stint at a Jazz and Classical radio station, this album was a staple on both my afterhours and daybreak shows.

Very jazzy, good instrumentals. The weather fit the mood listening to this record, driving thru a snowstorm in the country definitely made it a more intense listening experience.

Really enjoyed a jazz album!

It was solid background music.

I understand the elevator point but there is some good elevator music which this is

Sounded really nice, fun and fast in places, didn't drag, on the shorter side as far as jazz albums go. Very nice.

kept thinking I was either on hold or stuck in an elevator while listening to this

für einmal „anti“-jazz: wenig inspiriertes, wenig inspirierendes gedudel.

Zuviel Jazz und so

Not a bad album by any mean but not my preference. It could be study music but probably something I won't revisit. The drumsand flute (I think) were very pretty to listen to.

It was soothing but not really my thing

This was nice background music, but that also means it was easy to tune out. It’s not bad but it’s just not very interesting either.

I get it, I think, but I don't really enjoy it. The jazz funk bass playing is stellar, the keyboard sonically is annoying. I just can't get excited about this sort of end of the progressive march of jazz. I mean it's fine, but does it excite me the way other jazz albums do? Not really.

I mean, will I ever listen to it again- no. Would I recommend it to anyone- also no. Did I find some of it enjoyable and listenable, yes.

Birdland

Starts out like supermarket music - maybe a supermarket specialising in organic food. Lots of dated keyboard sounds and cliched sax. Gets more urban and interesting as it progresses, especially with the worldly Rumba Mama but I was eager for it to finish. I think this would be exciting to see performed live, but it kind of washed over me.

Fav track- A Remark You Made and The Juggler Least fav track- Teen Town Overall rating-6/10 Notes- good instrumental album, very nice composition. I have to say that i love this artwork, i just can’t get enough when album covers had so much going on. like yes i love that. in contrast, i love a simple album cover as well. i like the mix of instruments in the songs, sometimes it got a little crazy but im into it. started off pretty strong.. little meh in the middle.

I was sort of dreading the day when I got offered an album to listen to with the words “Jazz Fusion” bandied around it. In the early days of really listening to music I tried to be open minded (still do) around listening and also wanted to listen to skilled musicians. Having an early interest in my brothers Gong records I had heard things like Pierre Moerlen's Gong and indeed had even see a version of Weather Report at Glastonbury but nothing really made me want to posses an album like this as I was left a bit underwhelmed. So what does this feel like listening after 40 odd years. Meh. You cannot doubt the skills of the players but after listening to this album two and a half times I just couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for this album. I know it sold a tonne of records in its day bur so did Bros and I really can’t see how this warrants a place in a “Must Hear’ list. The biggest plus in hearing this, to me, high end elevator music, was that the album wasn’t overly long. Sorry guys but not for me but I might find some fusion I like yet.

Sure. Production was strong, but there was probably a reason I’d never heard of this group.

I feel bad for the people who live in the city depicted in the cover artwork. The "heavy weather" coming at them includes a volcano erupting, a lightning storm, giant falling leaves, and what seems to be razor-sharp metallic raindrops filling the sky. Not to mention the worst part- a giant fedora descending down upon them (and apparently being the source of the eruption and lightning?). Oh yeah, the music. It was OK if uninspiring. I enjoyed parts of it, but I struggled to stay engaged the whole way through. Instrumental jazz is just not really my thing. The last song was probably my favorite. I think I'd moved past the horror of the giant fedora by that point. Overall: 2/5

out and out banger

so many bangers

I had never really listened to anything like this before. It’s fusion, which surprised me at first but I found it to be very interesting to listen to and I liked it.

No inherent issue with jazz fusion but this just made me feel like I was in my dentists waiting room.

Bookmarking this for the next time I want to feel like I’m a) watching the opening credits to an 80s movie, or b) stuck in an elevator

The musicianship is excellent. I love the psychedelia so much. Such a cool listen, even if some songs bored me a bit.

Very easy listening and fun at times. Good jazz.

Jazz music is something I never choose to listen to. For me it just works as background music. This was ok in that regard.

Birdland is a great groove to start the album. It slows a bit after that, but this is a great jazz fusion album.

lost of saxofoon

Felt like I should’ve been watching Colombo throughout.

This one wasn't for me.

No real impression left, could well be one song

Apt name of the artist as this felt like the music that would play on the Weather Channel report on the 8s. This is the kind of music that plays in elevators and bathrooms. I plan on using it for the bathroom purpose during my next gathering.

78/100. Really enjoyable jazz fusion with some subtle world music touches. I always find jazz hard to put into words, it’s more of a feeling than anything. This record felt tight and structured, yet still had enough experimental flair to keep things exciting. Not too out there, just really solid stuff all around.

Lot of better jazz but this is still good

Sick-ass album cover. 5/5

Eh

Someone felt cultural superiority by selecting this for the list. Lots of yelling randomly. Sounds more like soundscape than music.

This was very fun! Very cinematic, cheery, just all around good vibes.

Peak waiting room music. 'really just good as background-music albums' always get either a 2 or 3 for me, I'm giving this a 2 because not once did I lovelove what I was listening to.

Too smooth for me I think. I hate to do it but I think it's a 2. High 2 but I don't think I like it.

Ooh yeah, I love Wii Sports!!

It was pleasant and there were a couple I liked but I was quite bored by the end. Rating: 2.2

I started this project to discover new music. I can’t tell if it’s showing me I don’t like jazz / fusion or reinforcing my prejudices and likes. This album feels like the soundtrack to a 1970s crime drama. Enjoyable in spots but overall bland and boring - frankly not even suitable for dinner party. I know nothing of the underlying artists. The arrangements are tight and skilled but just not my thing. Doubtful I’d listen again. 2/5

Heard it twice and just can't get into Weather Report. Feels like generic, bland, rated E Jazz. Appreciate the artistry but not my style. Highlight: the bass in track 3.

Nice album but solo after solo after solo after ...

I struggle with jazz. I keep giving it a chance... maybe someday I'll get something I'll vibe with. I'd never heard of Weather Report before. When "Birdland" started, the reference kind of flew over my head, and I thought I might be in for a funk record. Yeah, I know... I did feel these songs were more structured than other jazz albums I've heard, and that did help me find my way through the songs. In the end though, it just didn't stick for me. I appreciate the immense talent on display, but it's just not for me.

Pretty Great Album! Was not expecting to find Jaco on here, but knew withing the first 4 bars that i was hearing bass greatness!

Heard this in every shopping centre in the 90s

Yess pure fusion goodness, early snarky puppy vibes. Great musicianship. Perfect to do some work or just vibe with a proper barrel aged!

The Good: We know what kind of clothes to wear! The Bad: Heavy weather is so undescriptive, could mean anything really… The Ugly: Nobody cares about a weather report in the end… When I saw the name of Jacco appear, well, I started paying a little closer attention as I’ve heard his name plenty of the last decades, however, I’d never listened to any of his music… Now, I wish he would still remain an enigma to me; just a name synonymous with excellence in bass playing… Instead, I had to listen to this shit album. Not my thing. At all. Not hating. Just not understanding. 2* our of respect

it is quite cute

Damn, yet another band with which I had no familiarity. I enjoyed it.

Meh

Meh

While I love a jazzy instrumental, this one did not connect. Still would’ve enjoyed them live.

Jazz fusion nonsense. I guess it has it's place, but this really did absolutely nothing for me.

Not my style

jazzy as hell

'80s TV vibes it gives.

Good background music

Fav: A Remark You Made Least Fav: Rumba Mama They really said that the weather will be saxophone degrees with piano skies at 7/4BPM

This pops up and it’s from 1977 and I have zero recognition so I’m immediately assuming this is some weird underground rock group I missed through the years and I’m about to subjected to 40 minutes of mediocrity- boy was I wrong - this is 38 minutes of the coolest Jazz ever put on vinyl. Good stuff.

I’m just not a jazz fusion guy. The album opens with some lovely synth and bass on Birdland, sounding like pleasant theme music to a 70s morning show, but then loses it half way through. There are some nice driving beats on the tracks, and I particularly enjoyed Rumba Mama. I’m obviously the one at fault here, but I don’t understand how musicians at the top of their game can make a sax-synth duet on Palladium sound like a duck quacking along to some elevator Muzak. Not for me - it sounds like the stuff Howard Moon listens to in The Mighty Boosh - but I’m glad there are musical tastes in this world besides mine.

Holy shit do I ever fucking hate this

At first I thought ok groovy, then I thought no, then I got annoyed, then I thought I was stuck on an elevator and then I got really mad. Finally I aacept their creative. Their name and the name of this album are prefect. Heavy weather, just had to push through for clear skies

Another track that I knew by heart, couldn't tell you exactly where or when I've heard it, and had no idea who the artist was. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and this is why I love this list!

Good jazz fusion album. It’s quick. Sometimes feels like it’s Weather Channel. However, I’m always looking for ways to branch out into the jazz style.

This is it. The big kahuna, the maui wowie, big bertha, the meal with all the fixings. Weather Report is a defined supergroup with remenants of Miles' great quartets and the new addition of Jaco. Its hard to sell this album to those who don't know but if you like powerful, complex, and wonderful jazz fusion. Look no further. Fully deserves 5 stars. No contest.

Feel like I should have loved this but I didn't for some reason. I love jazz. I love funk. I didn't love this. Soz lads Listened to a couple of the songs the next day and initially liked it more, but now I'm back to my original feelings. I want to like this more than I do! I have no idea what to rate it! Somewhere between a 2.5 and a 4. I think it has to be a 3, but I'm really not sure. Think I'll have to revisit this one. Songs added to playlist: - Birdland - Palladium - Black Market - Live

Was bobbing my head the whole time. Funkalicious.

This ain't for me. It's for someone one, but not me, and that's okay

It started out promising and descended in the tortureous jazz odyssey that I personally despise. I was relieved when it was finished.

Could not finish - just not for me

"This sounds like an 80s sit-com theme song!" cries the reviewer, unaware this was released in 1977. This is about as easily listenable as the genre can be and that's NOT a bad thing, and I definitely can't complain about the things that come after when gentle jazz fusion is so recognisable because it's so easy to take in! I generally like my jazz a little faster, something akin to an almost funky flare, there's no doubt this album is masterful fun and almost like the feeling of sitting down and knowing you don't have to get up again for a while. Best song: Birdland Worst song: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 4/8

Legend.

Good

??? Elevator Jazz...oder, instrumental teils doch auch gute Parts, aber wird wohl nichts bleiben... c

Good jazz fusion. I don't enjoy this quite a much as Mahavishnu or Return to Forever though.

lekker instrumentale jazzy. waanzinnige muzikanten.

More jazzy jazz. Good for in the background, like rain hitting your windows.

Something of a soundtrack to a drama series. Easy listening jazz that incorporates some fuzz and modulation effects. Still not a fan of jazz but this I can appreciate.

Pretty rare for just an instrumental album. This was nice background music

Fusion is usually a miss for me. This one had some highlights (I really enjoyed the opening track, which set the tone for the really nice blend of timbres throughout the album) but sometimes it felt like the musicians were having too much fun to care if the listener was too. It was all impressive, but not all of it kept me interested. Maybe I just don’t get it. I was actually surprised to learn that Wayne Shorter and Jaco Pastorious were members of the group – I’m a big fan of some of their other work. This is a solid 3 for me: glad I listened but not gonna go running back for more.

I must start this review by saying I absolutely love Fusion music. Specifically Jazz Fusion. I’m unfamiliar with Weather Report and didn’t like the few tracks I heard. However, this project being about the entire album allows me to digest the band in a more complete way. I feel fortunate to have this album be the first WP album that I’ve listened to. My limited knowledge about the band did lead me to think this had to be a Jaco album, which it is. I’m more familiar with Wayne Shorters solo jazz, but he shines here just the same. I look forward to hearing more of the keyboardist Joe Zawinul. Cool album, great discovery. Would buy on wax and will continue to research this band and dive deeper.

I quite liked this.

Now this was a banger.

Nice and short, very enjoyable jazz with a little fusion. Definitely will listen to it more often. Loved it.

Hadn't had a jazz album in quite some time until this one popped up. It sounds very optimistic (especially Birdland) and bright and luscious. Like a lot jazz music, it makes me feel like I'm in a mafia-filled bar with the sound of glasses clanking together. Highlight Song/s: Birdland

Jazz, tolles Bassspiel (Jaco Pastorius), afrikanische Einflüsse

Oh, yeah, this album cover. I've seen it before. I can't remember exactly where (maybe in this book of album covers I have, I'unno), but I know this is not the first time I've laid eyes on it. Though it **is** only the first time I've ever found out what genre this thing was — and if you were to ask me to judge a book by its cover, I don't think I ever would have guessed **jazz fusion**. Like, huh — so it is. I find myself not terribly a stranger to jazz fusion. After all, I've heard Frank Zappa's three contributions to the genre ('Hot Rats', 'Waka/Jawaka' and 'The Grand Wazoo'), and I've enjoyed them immensively. If I can handle those, I can take on anything this genre can throw at me. Like, come on — what could this thing possibly do to knock me off my axis, huh? The keys. Goodness me, the keys — and the **synths**. Like ... oh, wowie me, there were times on here I honestly had to step back and remind myself that I was supposed to be listening to jazz. The synths and keys on here are nuts. I mean, don't get me wrong, they're not **that** overpowering; you still get a lot of room for the bass and the horns. I just didn't expect them to sound as ... well, cheesy as they did? And even acknowledging that there are cheesier out there, goodness me, this is some **cheese**, for sure. Which, let me clear — I **like** that they're cheesy. With as much cheese as I've eaten, it'd be weird if I **didn't** like how cheesy they were. It really made me enjoy the album a whole lot more, and I already liked it a whole lot. There's such a pep and a brightness to the whole thing, that, ah, even taking it as background music (which is never a bad thing, in my eyes), I found it so undeniable. I mean, I'll say that I don't think it gets much better than the first track. Every other song here is pretty good, but track one exists on a whole 'nother level. Scale-wise, it feels so much bigger than everything else here. Heck, it was big enough that it was the one song on here that I couldn't let it fall into the background. It's legit! No foolin'! Especially the bass, if I hadda single out one instrument besides the keys. That is some **good-ass** bass, goodness. I hear this guy was called the Eddie Van Halen of bass? Mm, I guess I can hear a good reason or so why. And, yeah, that's about the size of my thoughts on this album. Real good jazz fusion where I didn't expect to hear it. I don't have any real complaints other than the fact that "Rumba Mania"'s recording quality sounds a little weird ... but, yeah, I'unno. I give it a hearty recommendation for any jazz fusion fan. Or fans of cheesy synths — 90% chance of **those** in the forecast, goodness.

While jazz fusion is moreso known for what the Japanese did with it, this is still pretty damn good. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. This album has a 2.98 average on the site (criminally low), with the second highest review calling it “the most background music, white-people-dinner-party type jazz you can get” – what fucking white people parties are you going to where people are playing THIS type of synth-heavy jazz fusion? I want a fucking invite, immediately. This album is fucking awesome, especially for 1977. The only track that felt a little abrasive was “Teen Town”, but that’s just because of the super punchy percussion, and even still, I liked it. This entire package is, from top to bottom, a remarkable vibe, and one that I loved just sitting in, soaking in, and occasionally jumping around in. I can’t even really give super detailed track notes, because I was just caught in the groove of this thing. The keyboard melodies are complex yet digestible, the percussion & rhythm knows exactly when to punch up to pull one’s attention back in, the guitar work (especially in the bass, my GOODNESS, the bass) is incredible, and as a whole, it’s 38 minutes that blink by in a heartbeat. Yes, there are other bands that would take this style of jazz fusion (especially in Japan) & refine it to its finest form, but for a 1977 album, this feels like it’s leading the way, and I can’t help but give this a 5. Sure, it’s not as evocative to the emotions as say, Miles Davis, but it’s just as energetic, just as technically complex, and just as melodically sound, with my ears fully amazed at certain points. I loved this whole thing, and to my tastes, it’s a 5, through and through.

A few tracks are memorable, but as a whole, I do not know enough music to appreciate their value.

Highlights: Teen Tower, Palladíum. In a nutshell: four seasons in one day... Jazz fusion requires patience and sometimes it pays off here. Emphasis on sometimes. This 1977 composition wavers between intrigue, cliche and boredom. Joe, Wayne and Jaco are three incredibly skilled musicians. The commercial appeal of jazz infused music running out of steam, which you can blame Steely Dan for. The YouTube comments praised Jaco more than Wayne (sax) and Joe (keys). Which is unfair. The fretless bass dominates most of the tracks and I firmly believe it is the most pretentious instrument of them all. Overall: 5/10

I’m not really a jazz fusion person and I can’t imagine myself putting it on. The sound and concept just feel kinda strange to me. But I could tell that this was good, especially the bass player. Really incredible. I even went back and listened to his album start to finish and thought, “Wow, this guy’s talented.” Still, it just doesn’t resonate with me. I’d give it three out of five stars because it’s definitely good, just not something I connect with.

Progress: 250/1001 !!! Listens: 3 or 4 Standout Tracks: Palladium Overall Progress Commentary: I have been doing this thing - listening to a brand new album from the List, most of which I haven't ever heard before - for 250 days. That's astounding, and quite the commitment. When I tell people that I have embarked on this project, they typically have two reactions. They say both: I can definitely see you having the commitment and fortitude to do this [project] , and, you're uh... certainly dedicated to it. I haven't skipped an album yet, though I have taken the odd one or two day break. And too boot, only a few are missing reviews! Though the quality of my reviews tend to be quite subjective and lacking in what you might describe any semblance of technique - basically, I really don't know how to properly critique the quality of the music I am listening to. Some stats: 5-Star Albums: 30 1-Star Albums: 10 Average Rating: 3.27 Favorite Decade: 1950 (somehow, probably because most of the Jazz I've come across is consistently a 4) Thumbs-Up'ed Reviews: 5 Albums on the List that I have listened to before starting this project: 17 Album Review: I did not know what to expect going into this album. I was expecting Country music, which I mostly loathe, and the first song, Birdland, does not do the album any favors. But as the album went on, and after reading the blurb on YTM, I came to understand that this is a Jazz album and, besides the first song, I found the rest of the album quite pleasant. I don't think I will be adding it to my library or rotation, but it was nice enough. At a few points throughout the album, there was the tiniest start of people beginning to sing, but that never really panned out, and so the album is basically an instrumental. Not necessarily a problem, but the few voice sounds on it were a bit of a tease.

Nice jazzy album. Mix of upbeat and chill/reflective. Birdland is a groove I recognize but didn't know the song/artist. A Remark You Made has a nice guitar (and changes into keys?) solo. First 2 songs are good, rest is nothing special. 2/8 good songs, 25%, 2 stars.

I was looking forward to this because Birdland is awesome! I didn't realise Jaco Pastorius was in Weather Report! That's also awesome! I felt Palladíum was another highlight. Rumba Mama kinda broke the flow of the album, but I guess it wouldn't be as bad on the record version.

Great jazz music!

Zippy, colourful jazz with more variety than I expected, but I find it really hard to properly engage with as a genre, it so quickly fades to background trilling and tapping. Could have done with some vocals for my money to help break it up, but appreciate a core component of jazz culture is pure instrumental.

Now I respect the Jazz genre for its wealth of tallent just not sure this is my grove. Grove is probably a good summary of my view of this album as its stuck in one. It resonnates as spunky background music from SHAFT or something but doesnt have that wider apeal to me.

Started off with some game show music, moved into B movie soundtrack with a dash of seventies porno. There was a brief spell of some samba style before some music most suited to a lift in a department store. This must be someone's jam but it isn't mine.

This album is in a tough spot, because it’s going to be too jazzy for rock fans, too mainstream sounding for jazz fans, and not funky enough for R&B and funk fans. Minus some occasional Kenny G vibes, I found it fun and interesting, although not something I’m going to reach for in the future. Still glad I heard it.

Okay, maybe a bit boring overall

It’s like Joe Jackson’s “Night Music” album but without the Joe Jackson. This album needs more Joe Jackson.

decent jazz fusion, led by an Austrian

For now four. Maybe ±1 after another listen. Nice Jaco groove!

Album inégal, mais avec beaucoup de potentiel. Ce qui est dommage avec le jazz fusion, c’est qu’il prend une tangente vers la musique de mon’oncs un moment donné et ne parvient pas vraiment à s’en relever. Cet album est un petit pas dans cette direction, mais il reste très bon et écoutable malgré tout. Je dois me replonger dans la discographie de Weather Report. C’est certain que des perles m’y attendent.

new fave

Groovy at times, smooth jazzy at times. Much better than expected

Growing up, we had Domino Theory by Weather Report, so I have an idea of what to expect. Birdland - 8/10. Pretty solid "new-wave" Jazz. I think I may have heard Manhattan Transfer doing this song before. I like it. A Remark You Made - 8/10. Smooth and silky Jazz. But what do you expect from Jaco Pistorius? Teen Town - 7/10. Good late 70's/early 80's Jazz style. Harlequin - 7/10. Really smooth. I dont like the synth as much, though. Rumba Mama - 4/10. Not something I cared for. Palladium - 7/10. This is more like it. The Juggler - 8/10. Good late 70's/early 80's Jazz style. Havona - 9/10. Very good, especially Jaco Pistorius on the bass. I think this is the best track on the album. Overall Rating - 3.63/5 (7.25/10). Really good Jazz Fusion.

Another classic jazz album. My brother really likes them, and I'm starting to agree. Plus this has "Birdland" which is always a good listen.

Background music. 2/5

Technically astonishing jazz fusion that somehow makes virtuosity feel like background music for a very expensive aquarium. “Birdland” carries a lot of emotional luggage here.

This some jazzy shit

Jaco!!

Has a few great moments on it. Birdland is fantastic. But it also, weirdly, has some terrible elevator music sections. Which is just wrong for who these guys are. Maybe I just didn't understand the weird electro jazz.

****A great album, easy listening. Totally enjoyed

omg stop

3/5

4/10

Pretty intense album which doesn't make for casual listening but lots of interesting sounds and rhythms which deserve repeat listens.

A standard jazz fusion pick. It’s good, but there’s others that are great

Ca groove ! Très très cool

M’oui…. Ce serait super en bande son de film. Mention spéciale pour Havona qui était top ! Franchement, c’est à voir en live mais pas à écouter à la maison à mon sens C’était quand même vachement long mais on a changé de style donc c’est bien !

J'aurais voulu apprécier + que ça mais c'était un peu whatever. J'ai écouté en faisant la cuisine 2/5

WOAH. ecco, questo è il jazz che mi piace: contaminato da mille altri generi, ma soprattutto il rock. e poi, soprattutto, Birdland. è la canzone di apertura, e io la conosco da quando sono piccola, perche mio papà mi avrà fatto sentire la versione dei Manhattan Transfer tipo settecentomila volte, e non mi aspettavo proprio di sentire l'originale. i Manhattan Transfer hanno però aggiunto il testo, e non so dirvi quanto, nonostante l'originale sia bella, l'aggiunta delle parole e dei vocalizzi svolti completamente la canzone intera. se vi va di sentire quattro divinità che cantano andatevela a recuperare, ma chapeau ai Weather Report. veramente un album meraviglioso.

Jazzy! Reminded me of late 70's Joni Mitchell and sure enough, she used most of this band on a few of her albums. Pretty mellow but still very interesting.

No patience for shit like this today. Game show sounding shit to start the album andf it's their most played song. Fuck outta here.

Your favorite bassist's favorite bassist kills it here. Pretty nice jazz to listen to. Liked side A quite a bit. Wished I could give it an extra half star.

Im not a fan of jazz music

I love this album, as the title suggest I will recommend it to be listen when it is reining outside.. I think this album makes a great atmosphere 5/5

Jazz daora, gostei, muita diversidade e bem fora da caixinha

Rain, or snow?

Jazz. First song is really fun. Good sample opportunities. Insane that it was from the 70s, futuristic sound even for now. Second song is a lot more emotional, very 80s. Long songs. Third song is pretty “generic”. Lack of cohesion in some parts, but then others are well put together. Back half is much better. Car horn in the 4th song is crazy work. Pretty good song tho. Rumba mama?? ??. Palladium gets the album back on track, similar to first 2 songs with a lot of cohesion. Juggler was fine but couldn’t tell the did between palladium. Having sounds like it’s from the god father 2, specially the Cuba scene. Overall pretty good but not life changing.

Cheesy 1970s kitsch

Wallpaper

Compound adjectives are rarely harbingers of something good. And jazz-fusion is no exception. I quite like a bit of jazz. So it must be the fusion bit that leaves me utterly disengaged.

The sound and vibes coming off this album are at their peak when you listen to it while drinking a coffee in your home on a cold, rainy day. And that's exactly how I took this one in. At first, it was giving me a "weather channel music" vibe which I guess is fitting given the name of the band and album (primarily 'A Remark You Made'). However, it's a pretty smooth listen throughout and is the type of music I'd put on as I work on something else. It doesn't require a whole lot of thought or attention from the listener, and sometimes that's just as enjoyable as an album that sucks you in for 45 minutes straight. Top tracks: Birdland, The Juggler Skips: Rumba Mamba - it just sticks out like a sore thumb to me

80s sitcom theme songs

I’m sure this album sounded much fresher upon release, but it comes off as a bit corny to my 21st century ears. The 80s ruined synths for a lot of people, and I think this album is a victim of it to some extent. The over-saturation of this type of music in the decade that followed this album is tough to ignore. That said, there’s still some great moments brought to us by straight up maestros. You’ve got Jaco on bass, Wayne Shorter on sax, and Zawinul on synths; these guys are literally legends of modern jazz. They knew how to make cutting-edge and incredible music, and maybe that’s exactly what they did on this album, but the shine has faded. Birdland is one hell of an opener, but unfortunately, it was also when the album peaked in my opinion.

I don't believe in guilty pleasures even with stuff like jazz fusion which generally runs contra to most things that I like in music so I must declare that Heavy Weather is on its face, good without qualifiers. Weather Report, like other jazz fusion heavies, has that sort of smooth, pleasing sound that is just about Hold Muzak ready but Heavy Weather deviates from the Kenny G-ness with some lively tracks that are, as the kids say, a bop. Birdland is the no-duh classic on here - just a out of the park home run first track. Pop that shit on in the morning and your day's recalibrated. Other tracks like Teen Town presage trip-hop and if I had to wager a guess - no research conducted here, all off the dome - was sampled in some 90s hip-hop. Just cool shit. The slower tracks don't do it so much for me but whenever the band picks up the speed, I cannot deny the appeal. Even then, the slower tracks have a drifting coziness to them that wins me over. Incredible stuff for a coffee shop (positive.) There's no denying that the longer the album runs, the more "same" it feels but Birdland & Teen Town alone gild that A-side. A major influence on one of my favorite aesthetic categories, 90s feel-good fusion. This album always makes me think of shows like Early Edition, a mostly forgotten 90s television show about a journalist who can see a day into the future. Its opening rhymes with Weather Report and it's not alone in that category. Something about Heavy Weather registers as nostalgic though I don't believe anyone I knew was playing it when I was a kid. My parents weren't jazz fusion types! https://youtu.be/pfWVwx3Y32U?si=FQRmk8kJoz0jjraq Favorite Tracks: Birdland, Teen Town

Not impressed, not my jam, not bad, just either went over my head or is meant to be elevator music, either way, never listening to it again and not moved in any way by it

really hoping that this means jazz albums will show up on the list. fusion is fine (it's maybe not my preferred way to listen to tracks like birdland, although as brandon said it is essential to give credit where it is due), but it's not my favorite. gotta say though, tracks like Palladium make me think that maybe it could be. that shit's fuckin groovy.

I have been trying not to think about production quality too much for these reviews since I feel like it's not fair to older albums that don't get remasters and also I'm very picky about it to an obnoxious degree. That being said, this album just sounds absolutely gorgeous. The layers upon layers of instruments and details is phenomenal. Mr. Weather Report can play a bass like it's nobody's business. I had never listened to a Weather Report song, let alone an album. I knew it best as a JoJo reference. While I had to pause the album quite a bit and then come back to it throughout the day (something I normally try to avoid doing for our albums of the day), every time it came back on I was having a good time. This might be one that I throw on when I really need to focus on work or when I just want something instrumental. Definitely a surprise for me.

What a surprise. I didn’t really give this one a chance at first, but eventually we were groovin, driving around and imagining myself on the case with my grizzled detective partner one day from retirement before his local nemesis rears his ugly head, presenting my partner with a no win scenario: take down his sworn nemesis or spend time with his family.

This shit was fun, maybe not life changing, though. Jazz rock isn’t something I listen to enough but some great songs here. I kinda expected a blue shell to hit me out of nowhere, though — “Birdland” sounds like a song playing during a Mario Kart race.

This is a bit hard for me to grade because it detours at times into holdcore (a term I just invented for the music that plays when you're on hold with customer service) and pretty much any given 10 seconds could be the "welcome back" stinger to a public access talk show. But I liked it well enough. Not something I’m putting on during a road trip or anything but it’s pleasant. Good album art too. And good Jaco Pastorius.

Jazz fusion is cool, but I feel like these albums have like one killer song that you’d hear on an eclectic DJ set, and not much else.