Heavy Weather

Like a Mario kart soundtrack

Today in Halifax it started off sunny but felt cool due to an easterly wind. This weather has been typical of April 2025 due to the jet stream being to the south of the UK. High pressure has been across the UK. Consequently the UK has been dry all month with plenty of sunshine. It is expected that the wind direction will change tomorrow so temperatures are expected to rise until the weekend when the high pressure will move away to the continent and it will then become changeable with rain. All in all glorious weather for this time in April so able to sit out in the garden listening to music streamed to my smart speaker. But not this album. 1/5 9/4/25

"Heavy Weather" is the seventh album by American jazz fusion band Weather Report. This album was their most successful album reaching #30 on the US Billboard 200 and is one of the best selling albums in the Columbia jazz catalog. The powerhouse jazz band included Joe Zawinul (synths, pianos, mellotron), Wayne Shorter (tenor and soprano sax), Jaco Pastorius (fretless bass, mandocello), Alex Acuña (drums, congas, tom-toms) and Marolo Badrena (tambourine, congas, vocals, timbales, percussion). "Birdland" opens the album with the music coming in very slowly. A constant beat. A lovely mix of the synth and horns. Every instrument is loud and clear. This song was a tribute to the nightclub where Zawinul saw a number of great jazz performers. This is one of the jazz songs that most everyone has heard at some point. "A Remark You Made" is softer. High-pitched piano keys. A sultry sax solo. Very relaxing. And, oh, a keyboard jam. Pastorius wrote and performed lead bass on "Teen Town." A kicking drum beat by Acuña. Jammy and funky. Pastorius' bass plays off of and with the keyboards and horns. Brilliant. "Palladium" is another great example of the musicians playing off of each other. It's more smooth jazz. Complex drumming. Multiple concurrent melodies. It's easy to see why this album was so successful. Easy and smooth listening. It's dreamy and relaxing. Just excellent musicianship of all instruments. There's really not any long songs which might deter some from a jazz album. There's also great melodies and solos. The fusion I heard was between jazz and rock and progressive rock. Even though I am in no way a jazz expert, I do believe I can tell a really good album and this is one of those.

Ok background music

The musical skill can't be denied, but ultimately this just wasn't to my taste.

decent vibe

I appreciate good jazz, and this album fits perfectly for that. Did I need to hear it before I die? Maybe? I don't know. It's got some very solid music on it, great sax work. Worth a listen for sure, but maybe not repeat listening material. Background music at a dinner party for sure. 3/5

A classic jazz fusion album from the 1970's. great musicianship especially from Jaco Pastorius and Joe Zawinul.

Too experimental for me. ;-(

Meh lichy jazz Nawet nie dokończyłam

I enjoyed this, I don't normally listen to acoustic albums. That being said, it's no more than background music. 3.4

Partially listened before Favourite tracks: Teen Town, Birdland, Palladium

As a non-jazz fan, this is the kind of music I think of when I say 'I don't like jazz'.

2 - nice live band and trumpet

тоже интересная хуйня, но в моей системе координат больше тройки не могу поставить

Jazz Fusion is always a good choice. This feels a tiny bit dated and you can tell it's from the 70s but it's still really good.

That's some crowd-pleasing, TV theme tune level of jazz going on. If I'd wanted to listen to this before I died I'd have just watched some studio-filmed sitcom from the age, then at least I'd have something to watch too. 1.5☆

somewhere between 80s sitcom opening credits and Mario Kart

Jazzy but also synthy. Spotify description called it Jazzy rock so i believe it.

Might make good study music or a video game soundtrack. Just as its own thing though, I wasn’t particularly captivated. Some of the more Latin feel moments are fun.

I listened to this whole album....I think? Hard to tell when each song sounds the same as the last. No surprises to me that this is a jazz album, my nemesis genre.

Fínt. Frekar leiðagjarnt samt.

Muy relajante, pero pensé que me iba a gustar mucho más de lo que me gustó. No me parece especialmente memorable. Puede ir muy duro para leer.

first time listening to weather report gotta say i'm pleased. love the jazz love the fusion love the everything. not a five out of five but pretty damn good. i enjoyed each song and this is definitely going on my main.

Good in places average in the rest (a 3.5)

Is this considered smooth jazz? Smooth jazz fusion maybe? Regardless I really did not like it, and I liked it much less than any other jazz record I've heard from this list so far. Struggling between a 1 and a 2 for this, but ultimately going with a 2 because I didn't have the same visceral reaction I had towards most of the albums I've rated a 1. Still, I don't need to hear this before I die.

HATE the synths, those things shouldn't be anywhere near jazz. Sweet sax but I couldn't enjoy it because of the synths. Great cover art though I'll give them that.

This could be so much funkier and less campy. Basically Disco Jazz. The bass lines are good, and the drumming is proficient, but the themes are boring. This feels like the beginning gs of smooth elevator jazz and that's not gret

4/5. Despite the title, a lot of the songs on here are mostly pretty chill and relaxing. There are a few that stand out, especially the opening track, which is a classic by itself, as well as others that keep that heaviness they are referring to. The album as a whole definitely has some great work from the bassist which at first I thought was some sort of synthesizer with how prominent it carries the music here. The melody is up front but the bass is moving it forward, along with the percussion. I don't think I would be down with this album all the time but it's definitely a wonderful listen front to back. Best Song: Birdland, Havona, Harlequin

Z tym albumem wiąże się fajna historia. Jak byłem w Japonii dwa czy trzy lata lata temu, to na evencie w świątyni poznałem jakiegoś starszego Japończyka, który zaprosił mnie do swojego domku letniskowego na wybrzeżu. Gość jest członkiem jakiegoś stowarzyszenia promującego kontakty międzynarodowe, często przyjmuje u siebie obcokrajowców, jego córka zjeździła kawał świata dzięki temu. Long story short, wieczorem puszczał mi trochę różnej muzyki, w tym ten album. To było jeszcze w momencie zanim wieczór zrobił się niezręczny, bo gość się okazał alkusem i strasznie się zachlał i zaczął pierdolić i użalać się nad życiem XD. Także mam sentyment do tego albumu, bo poznałem go w bardzo nietypowych okolicznościach. Ogólnie jest solidny, ale poza "Birdlandem" te utwory nie są aż tak ciekawe, jakimi je pamiętałem. Kiedy "Heavy Weather" pojawiło się na liście, to byłem całkiem podekscytowany, myślałem, że będę szedł w czwórkę, ale jednak zatrzymam się na 3,5.

A delightful jazz album.

Jak jakaś postać w Jojo nazywa się jak artysta to zwykle jest dobra fazka.

Talented musicians, bassist is killing it. I get that it is a popular/was a popular record, I just don’t find it enjoyable to listen to at all. Back half of the album is much more interesting than the first. The electronic instruments are just tedious.

Fucking hell, how did this make it into the 1001? Sat through 2 tracks then switched back to Elvis Costello. Reminded me of vintage porno soundtrack and not in a good way. My disappointment cannot be described with letters and words.

Bad songs good name. Should have been an Indie band.

When jazz goes bad. Sounds too much like the incidental music of terrible family films from the 1980s. I'm sure I heard that saxophone in Three Men and a Baby.

That was soo tough going!

Early 80's American light comedy series...., after the success as a successful Wall Street stockbroker, Chuck Derby becomes a stay at home Dad as his wife Crystal forges a career in the movie business. Follow Chuck, and his washed up Detective buddy Danny as they both stumble their way through a new chaotic and hilarious, but heart-warming lifestyle! That's what I got from this album...that's it! oh, and Chuck drives a Testarossa.

Oh yay Jazz Oh nay Not this jazz

I'm generally not a jazz fan at all, but this was a fun listen. I probably wouldn't reach for it again, but it was pleasant enough to have on in the background. I could imagine hearing it at a coffee shop or a quiet little cocktail bar

These guys are good at music. It's a shame that they chose to use that talent by playing this cheesy bollocks. How is this the jazz that gets selected for this list?

A decent work listen because it involves no real thinking or words, just letting the smooth smooth jazz hit you. Almost a 5?

A great sound. Good listen. 3.5 stars.

Background music

Really straddles the line between competent fusion and cheesy cliche Jazz. It has a lot of moments of brilliant playing, especially Jaco Pastorius his bass playing shines here. However, there's a few moments where it sounds a bit cheesy, perhaps because of its influence. I found this to have a lot of variety as well. Rumba Mama sounds very different from the phenomenal Birdland sounds different from the other songs on here.

Bass is killer all over this. I don't usually do any research until after I write a review but i had to figure out who this was. Go figure it's Jaco, probably the best player that's not Victor Wooten or Bootsy. Some of the songs felt like 80s TV Theme songs, some felt like it was smooth jazz or something almost like fast smooth jazz... is that a thing? Bass, horns and keys/synth all get ample time to shine. Mood shifts in songs all work really well and keep things moving pretty quickly. I didn't want it to end.

Perfectly fine in an elevator or lobby.

It’s like background music of an 80s cop show or something? I don’t hate it but I don’t care about it either

Alright, let’s deal with elephant in the room first. That album cover is…fucking amazing 🤩. Is that a thunderstorm wearing a hat? Is the hat causing the storm over city or did it just happen to be floating by? Is the hat passing by a volcano, or did it catch the buildings on fire with lightning strikes causing the plumes of smoke? What would cause a seemingly normal hat to attack a city this way? Was this hat inspired by jihadi message boards? Why are only one of the leaves wet? Did that hat eventually find its way to the Beer Baron? Sadly, the album answers none of these questions. It’s a weird little smooth jazz album with a mix of songs that could be an 80’s TV theme song, soft core porno background music, and one bongo drum tribal song. I don’t know what to make of this, but 3 ⭐️ for the cover alone

Another example of an album cover giving very different expectations than the music. Decent music, not bad for an early morning coffee....groovy enough but almost too "smooth jazzy" for me. The bass player is a beast though. Gimme more of him!

Good tones, didn’t manage to listen all the way through as had guests. Enjoyed parts of it. 5/10.

Good to relax to. If it was half ratings would give it 3.5

Fun little funky jazz group.

Perhaps I treated you too harshly, Weather Report. I originally listened to this while building LEGO a couple years ago, and I found it cheesy and boring, but perhaps it's that Black Midi jazz (the band, not the genre) but some of these songs kind of struck a chord with me this time around. The early stuff flew by and was nothing to write home about, but the later into the album we got the more I could appreciate it for what it is. Is it all that special? Nah, it's still dated and cliché, but I don't dislike this as much as I was lead to believe.

Nah, that’s a pass dog.

3/5

Favorite Track: Birdland

Not really my cup of tea. I've liked other Weather Report albums and this has some cool moments but on the whole, the daytime TV vibes were a little too much for me.

I think this one somehow migrated from the 1,001 Albums to Consider Playing in the Background at Your 1997 Book Release Party at Your Upper West Side Apartment Three Blocks from the Lincoln Center list.

reminds me of Steely Dan, but doesn't hit those highs. Not necessarily my sort of jazz

As much as I like jazz, this chunk of jazz fusion is a bit on the bland side. It's all rather unchallenging. I'm tempted to go as far as "lounge music". Whatever it is, it's superbly played. For that alone, an middling 3/5.

jo men ja . eller jag vet inte. är det bra eller inte. jo men det får en trea.

Perfect for eating fried snail

Egentligen tycker jag nog att weather report är lite överskattade men när de är som bäst så är det riktigt bra, och när Jaco drar iväg på någon sjuk slinga så är det svårt att inte dra på sig ett leende. En svag 4a.

Not often does the bass player get all the praise—unless that bass player is John Francis Anthony Pastorius III. Birdland and Havona are the absolute standouts, with a few other solid tracks as well. However, A Remark You Made is the weak link—especially following Birdland, it completely kills the momentum of the album. Because of that, I can only give it four stars

Not a style of jazz that I like or appreciate. As a non-aficionado it’s hard to comment on whether this is an exceptional or influential, only that it doesn’t do anything for me.

I liked the first song, got bored after that.

Pretty decent opening track which the rest of the album never quite catches back up to.

I'm not a big jazzhead but I quite liked this, feels like there are enough interesting bits that I could get really into it if I wanted. I also really love that fretless bass sound from hearing it in prog/jazz-influenced metal so that helped a bit

It was grand but I don’t think I’ll ever come back to it.

Surprisingly quite enjoyed this to say it's not usually my sort of genre, not sure how often I'd come back to it but was quite a nice album while I was working

Really enjoyed this

Good start, gets boring

Great album

This was a very enjoyable smooth jazz album with a significant up tempo. One exception is "Rumba mamba", which came out of left field and I did not enjoy it.

This was fun. Jaco and the boys gettin down on some polished crystal smooth jazz

2.98 is the current rating as of Feb 2025. What the hell is wrong with you people? 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 ripping it up on bass, Shorter on sax, and Zawinul on synth- these dudes are literally legends of jazz. Why does Headhunters have a higher rating? Is it because people recognize Herbie Hancock? More accessible? If the "I dont like jazz" crowd doesn't get it, then maybe we need to just give up on you trying to understand it. But this is the backbone for all the best popular music.

I would not have guessed that this was a jazz album based on the cover art. Unfortunately the cover art is just as bad as the jazz.

Every bassist worth their salt knows the name Jaco Pastorius. Bold as brass, Jaco wielded a fretless electric bass and honored the stylings of funk and jazz in his impeccable technique. With Weather Report, they play sleek and impressive jazz-fusion that was immensely expressive at every turn. Not only a pleasant listen, Heavy Weather is technical and challenging in ways that impress the frontiers of jazz in a post-Bitches Brew world.

I followed Weather Report since the beginning. Earliest albums were hard to like, even though I wanted to. Middle albums were a great mix of (at the time) modern jazz and rock. Truly amazing. This latter period is when the band needed the money and went all commercial on us. This album is like backround rock karoke. Too pop for a jazz rock listener.

Already played

War gut für nebenbei beim Arbeiten, aber joa. Würde ich sonst nicht hören

The dawn of smooth jazz? It’s well made for what it is, but what it is is not for me.

This album is cheesy, sure. But you know what? I like it. It's nostalgic. No regrets lol, f the haters.

Some nice tracks on it and would be happy to stick it on again.

Didn't recognise this from just the name, but as soon as I heard the first track I knew that I knew it, and that I'd heard the name before. So was interested to hear the rest. I suppose it's a sort of jazz fusion. After Birdland though it went down hill a bit, but improved again on side 2. Can't help but give it a 3.

It’s jazz and it’s shite

I was expecting Jazz, I got slightly jazzy lift music instead. I happen to be able to enjoy jazzy lift music in the right setting. Today was one of this moments where 90% of my brain was occupied elsewhere, and this seeped through the cracks in my concentration.

When the bass starts grooving, like in Teen Town or Palladium, I'm on board with this fusion album. But A Remark You Made has put me over my allergy borders and had to skip it every time I hear this album.

Love this sound,

Jaco Pastorius' bass is obviously fantastic, but the album itself is pretty hit and miss, especially "A Remark You Made" and "Rumba Mama".

did not expect to like this as much as I did

It's like the end credits of every late 70's American sitcom got together and started a band.

Love “Birdland” from my band days - glad to hear the rest of this classic album!

Woah! Wild jazz alert. What a fun album. Technically astounding with the instrumentation. I'm not a jazz expert, but I really enjoyed the fusion across genres and specifically the musicianship. That bass player, whoa!

really fun jazzy prog

Some fanrastic playing and some downright sheer beauty at parts. But by god Jaco Pastorius' bass tone fucking SUCKS! Great skilled player but he's got one of the worst tones in the business and it actively ruins songs, as seen on this album Drummer is always going crazy though

3.7 Quite enjoyed that, most likely because it seems like they inspired one of my favourite artists, Squarepusher. So many moments on there sounded identical to something off hard normal daddy. Nice but of jazz funk. Only weak spot was the Rumba song but it was over before it began.

tasteful compositions, groovy, suggestive & moody. rly happy with this one, one more added to the list of records i will be coming back to.

beautiful.

Absolute monsters on this album — Shorter, Jaco, etc. Can see why this made the list as it’s one of the few jazz albums of the late 70’s that broke new sounds. However, it does sound a bit stuck in the late-70’s as well. One of those albums I feel I should like much more than I do.

Pastorius. You can't deny what he added to this and other WR albums. So many bass guitarists can easily turn to him as an influence / aspiration: Jeff Berlin, Les Claypool, Tony Levin, Robert Trujillo... I could go on and on. I will say, the first track is not my favorite version of "Birdland." But it's still a song that always makes me smile (makes me think of playing it in jazz band when I was in school). Did not care for the opening of "Rumba Mama", honestly. But the rest of the song was good. Really, the whole album was really good. Top tracks: "Harlequin," "Havana," "Palladium"

Never heard of these guys but I don't know jazz so to be expected. Birdland was such a cool opener with the synth (?) to start and all the other classic instruments fused in. Kind of reminded me of something you'd hear from Steely Dan. I'd say this whole album is somewhere between jazz fusion and jazz rock. Whether the beats were uptempo like Birdland and Palladium, or softer like A Remark You Made and the Juggler, I really dug them. Maybe a little too much synth on a couple songs but overall a solid album. Surprised, maybe even disappointed, at how short it was.

Mad respect for their musical skills (particularly Jaco!), but jazz fusion never quite pulls me in. There was a bit of nostalgia for me here, because I played Birdland in my HS jazz band, but aside from that there's not much that makes me want to dig in further. Teen Town and Havona were particularly impressive and caught my attention. I can appreciate why it's on the 1001, but moving on now...

My friend Max sometimes listens to the worst jazz you've ever heard - almost like it's been made to intentionally offend me This album isn't that, this is great fun and I really enjoyed it. Do better, Max.

fun stuff

If someone told me he hated jazz and this was his only reference, I would understand. To me this is jazz fusion of the worst kind. Still some decent chord progressions saves it from a 1

Sometimes, being accessible isn't a good thing. Still a good jazz fusion album, but it tries too hard to be radio friendly.

Decent and, somehow, classic fusion/Jazz-rock with Pastorius' unique touch. It's good, but aged really bad. Still a 3.

Ahhhh le jazz fusion. Quelle horreur. Tout ce qu’il y a de plus moche dans les bandes originales jazouille des années 70 - 80, ça fait vieux film de cul, course poursuite foireuse dans une série américaine foireuse de ces années là, c’est limite supportable et parfois drôle tellement c’est cliché. Après avoir survécu au premier titre “Birdland” et à alors qu’on croise les doigts pour autre chose, je crois que l’attaque au saxophone du deuxième titre (“A remark you made”) me fera toujours rire. Il y a un public pour ça, grand bien leur fasse, mais c’est un grand non.

great grooves on this, was okay

It's pretty good, but maybe suffers a little because the first track (Birdland) stands out so much from the rest of the album.

not my vibe

5/5

gave me strong Children's Television Workshop // NPR production vibes for something out of the late 90s, especially the first few tracks. fine but definitely not for me. Too many saxes. Just too many saxes.

background music for 70s corporate training videos (respectful)

surprisingly light listening for heavy weather. jelled well with email-answering, which is what i was doing while listening

I liked this more than I feared but still not a lot

Excellent

High energy jazz rock that is a lot of fun. Standout is "A Remark You Made" is beautiful. Leadoff "Birdland" is good too.

Un poco decepcionante la verdad. Musicalmente es excelente, y suena super bien a nivel instrumental. En cuanto al contenido musical, lo senti medio vacio, como si me faltara algo. Las armonías suenan la verdad muy bien y funcionan tambien muy bien, pero siento que le falta contenido melodico que haga fluir la musica y te lleve, como logran otras bandas como Casiopea. 5/10

Really not my thing. Couldn't make it through a full listen through.

Very nice album. I particularly liked Birdland. The melodies were tight, and well balanced.

Twijfel sterk tussen een 2 en 3. Enerzijds waardeer ik de kunst en skills. Anderzijds doet het weinig met me en ervaar ik het soms als storend. Ga voor een 2.

Ja classic met Pastorius op bas. Qua fusion uit die tijd zijn Mahavishnu Orchestra en Chick Corea Elektric Band ook nice, vind die zelf wat leuker iig. Deze guys hebben altijd wel een beetje dezelfde sound gehad

Niet zo enjoyable als dat piano album maandag. Ik waardeer het wel, maar blijft nooit hangen bij me. Lekkere achtergrond muziek dus maar ultimately not incredibly memorable 2,5/5

For slow days and background tunes.

Happy 100th album! It's upbeat, chill music perfect for the first day of class!

It's mall jazz. There's nothing special here.

Just don’t love jazz

bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad

01) Birdland - 9,0 02) A Remark You Made - 7,0 03) Teen Town - 7,5 04) Harlequin - 6,0 05) Rumba Mamá - 5,0 06) Palladíum - 5,5 07) The Juggler - 5,5 08) Havona - 5,5 TOTAL: 6,38 (64/100) Current ranking: 316/423

you know what, i started out doubting this, but i throughly enjoyed it. you know what? hell yeah.

Pre-listening thoughts: instrumentals. Yay. Post/during listening thoughts: listen I know instrumental music is important, I get why there’s the amount there is on the list, I just don’t like it. I like vocals and lyrics. I find myself without something to latch on to here. This isn’t even like really interesting or experimental jazz, it’s just like the epitome of background music. 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Teen Town Least fav tracks: lukewarm on everything tbh

“Too jazzy?” “It is a bit too jazzy.”

I love weather report but the albums alright

Enjoyable. 3.5 stars

Yes

I… don’t like this. I’m not a big fan of jazz in general, and this type of jazz in particular. I just don’t get anything here, it doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m sure these are very talented musicians who are all time greats but I would never choose to listen to this again.

Jazz rock fusion with fretless bass fearured Birdland is the big hit.

Great bass from jaco. Not really my thing overall.

What a pile of shite. Elevator music. Utterly undistinguished. I swear I heard this as the hold music the other day with my insurance company.

Funky

Not for me. Background music for dinners. But „Rumba mama“ is cool.

solid jazz album all in all

Je trouvais que ça ne partait pas aussi bien que ce que je me serais attendu, mais vers la fin de l'album j'avais un peu plus de plaisir. Par contre, considérant le statut du band et de cet album, je m'attendais à être un peu plus impressionné. Disons que je suis beaucoup plus fan de d'autres classiques du même style. 6/10

I’m not sure what genre this was but it was a little too Jazz influenced for my taste. 2.5/5

Expected more. Most of this sounded pretty cheesy.

Too Jazzy

Horrendous elevator music (first track Birland), the kind easy listening jazz fusion type stuf that brings me out in a rash. Not for me really, might be the first one star, let's see. Okay it got slightly more tolerable further along, still not really my thing though ⭐⭐ to ⭐⭐⭐

Funky! Jaco good

Pretty cool. Jaco was a sick bassist. Have heard some other songs from them over the years

Weather Report has never been my brand of jazz. It just feels too clean and smooth somehow. However, the talent and chemistry of the musicians behind the group is undeniable. This album is a pleasant listen and it has a lot of great elements, even if it's never going to be what I turn to when I want to hear some jazz 4/5

ok

Vintage porn music

4 perché ancora non riesco a suonare Teen Town >:(

in the jazz world, there's often a negative vibe associated with the idea of achieving a certain level of commercial success, especially if your music leans electric. Weather Report, perhaps one of the most electrified groups in jazz history, proved with their first run of albums that an interest in amplification and synthesizers didn't necessarily mean you had to suddenly start writing pop songs. with Heavy Weather, though, Jaco Pastorius joins the battle. his signature fretless bass sound definitely swung the band's focus a little towards the mainstream (you could call this album a progenitor of smooth jazz), but in a way that feels less like a cash grab and more like a group of high-level jazz performers earnestly trying their hand at instrumental pop music. the opener, "Birdland", is one of the most iconic songs of the fusion era for good reason. hearing the melodies in the keys, horns and bass trading back and forth is a joy, and the whole thing builds to a tremendous climax. then you get hit with "A Remark You Made", a gorgeous ballad that puts Wayne Shorter's tenor saxophone in the center of some incredible harmony. these first two songs were written by Joe Zawinul, Weather Report's de facto leader, and are a fantastic display of how this band went about walking the line between jazz virtuosity and pop accessibility. the run of three tracks that closes the LP out are also stupendous, especially "Havona" with its epic introductory bass/synth chorale which comes back at the end to tie everything up. these three tracks also give Alex Acuña lots of opportunities for some tremendous drumming. as of the day I'm writing this, the 1001AG average on this album is a mere 2.98/5. I won't stand for this! decent 9/10.

Someone must have bastardized the genre they represent because this sounds like a shitty sitcom intro that just won’t end.

Album 634 of 1001 Weather Report - Heavy Weather (1977) Rating : 5 / 5 Some awesome jazz fusion. Enjoyed this, very much. It was a real nice listening experience and great to start the day with. Not one negative.

Eh. I dig Birdland. That’s about it.

The best parts of this sound like the score from a really badass police procedural from the 70s. The worst parts of this sound like the score from a really bad police procedural from the 70s.

Not today, Weather Report. Not today. Next minute I'll be listening to Kenny G. I won't have and I shan't have it! Competent musicianship. Dull composition. Two stars.

Jazz and especially Jazz-Fusion has never really been my thing but a part of me has always wanted to get into it just becuase of the musicianship of it. I enjoyed this. Has a nice vibe.

enjoyed this one! 3.5

Pretty funky! Liked this very much but wouldn’t be in my everyday rotation

I knew Birdland, of course, but I never knew its origin. Jazz/Jazz fusion is not my cup of tea. Production and instrumentation are quite good and they are excellent musicians.

‘Birdland’ makes me feel somewhere in between the old show 1977-1981 American sitcom Soap and Mario Kart. Please someone talk to me about Soap and maybe it’s spinoff Benson.

Pleasant, but sometimes delves too far into the free jazz genre at the cost of harmonic cohrence.

Alright

Overall: 6/10 Every musician on this thing is incredibly talented (especially the god-like Jaco Pastorius on bass), but I can't help but think that this album feels empty? I definitely got enjoyment out of it, especially with the closing track. Maybe I just haven't listened to enough jazz but at least the stuff I've listened to in the past elicited some sort of emotion out of me. I'd recommend giving this a listen just to experience Jaco's bass playing. Fav Song: Havona Least Fav Song: Rumba Mama

War gut für nebenbei beim Arbeiten, aber joa. Würde ich sonst nicht hören

I’ll admit that seeing an album listed as jazz fusion didn’t exactly fill me with delight, but there have definitely been some jazz albums that surprised me, so I tried to keep some optimism. And I’m glad that I did! This album is really fun, maybe leaning more towards bossanova than jazz at times, with a definite Cuban vibe. I don’t know where Weather Report are from, but they felt very tropical. This album was a nice surprise, and a nice rump shaker.

Great jazz album :-)

Good jazz

Fun jazz album

Great instrumental album 4.25

Quite liked it.

Very solid...

Well played yet plain electric jazz

Heavy Weather was a pretty good album. This album apparently is a fusion of jazz and rock (i have heard other albums on this project like that) but i feel that for this one, the jazz elements take center stage and make the rock elements fell like a bit of an afterthought and it stays that way for the whole album (except for that one track that sounds like street drumming). My only issue with this album is the fact that one of the songs did get a little too quiet for no good reason but other than that, this album was a good listen and definitely better than the average jazz album. Best Song: The Juggler Worst Song: Harlequin

Lidt unfair for det her album at komme så kort efter Miles Davis. Synes først det begynder at lyde som jazz de sidste to numre, indtil da lyder det som et soundtrack. Easy listening

Super catchy! Man ka virkelig høre hvor meget der er sket i fusionsjazz i løbet af de 7-8 år siden In a Silent Way udkom, men altså, det mangler jo noget Miles Davis ved roret (selvom en del af musikerne her også var med på Silent Way)

This isnt my jazz jam

Sounds like the theme or transition – sequence music from nearly every show in the 70s.

I was promised heavy weather and all I got was light rain and fog. Funky version of Parker’s “Birdland,” but the addition of the synthesizer to the jazz didn’t do anything for me.

Like a lot of jazz, this is pleasant enough. Good background music. Still not my thing, though, daddio.

It was alright, don't have too much to say about it. Instrumentals were fun I suppose. Not sure why it's here

It was alright but not really my style

Stundtals okej, stundtals påfrestande.

Pretty good

Some of the most talented jazz players of the era go off the chain, and the results are glorious. I need to check out more Weather Report.

Wallpaper music, I don't even really know anything about jazz and I'm disappointed that this is on here compared to probably better stuff. 3/10

A nice very famous jazz album. Not my favourite but always worth listening to.

Didn't care for this at all. Felt like I was walking around J.C. Penney in the late 90s.

That was quite excellent! I had not heard of them before but I'm definitely going to be hearing a lot more of them in the future.

I didn’t mind, sounded a bit like lift music

Peak album

Great record. "Birdland" is a cracking tune, and it carries on from that opener. Saw them in 1984, without Jaco Pastorius.

I don’t care for this type of music but it’s ok in the background.

They said that when this album came out white dads across the world started tapping their foot and nodding along. And I just think that's beautiful. Best Track: Birdland Worst Track: Rumba Mama

It made me cry, it made me dance, this album is an all-timer and absolutely blew me away. Best Song: A Remark you Made Worst Song: The Juggler

5/11/24 The album is different to what i would normally listen to. But it was a good album. Entertaining.

4.25

i get that jaco pastorius was the best bass player in the world. wayne shorter's 60s solo records and work with the jazz messengers are some of my favourite jazz albums. but goddamn if this isn't some of the worst shit i've ever heard

I still don't see the appeal of jazz.

No. I can’t imagine what type of person thinks “gee, what shall I listen to today?” and then chooses this.

Decent album and the fusion sounds great ngl. 3/5.

One hit wonders

This is more my sort of jazz than the 50s trad stuff. Broadly, it feels a bit more interesting, and I definitely prefer the sounds of sax to the parping brass. This also had some good guitar parts in. Also, Birdland makes me sing 'Haywards Heath', which reminds me of Southern Rail. Despite that, a solid listen.

Pretty fun jazz album, I like the electronic elements mixed in. I couldn't tell you what, but it is missing that tiny edge that would bump it up to a 4. High 3.

So wow is this shocking. I really liked this album. I don’t know if it’s because it came at a good time or what- I was working along to it, but it was the perfect sense of not too distraction but good enough that I could really appreciate the music and the talent. The last song was incredible, an amazing way to wrap up the album. I usually have nothing great to say about albums with no singing, but wow this was awesome. I see so much talent, so much influence, and would 1000% listen again.

Jaco on bass (esp: "Teen Town") is worth the admission alone. A classic - one of our Sunday morning vinyl staples. I do love good jazz fusion and although it's not quite up to my favourites in the genre (i.e. Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, George Duke) it is infinitely more accessible. That might be a drawback for HARDCORE FUSION HEADS but there's a lot of value in an album with tight songs that's not gonna drive away your family (sometimes...). Aside from Jaco's playing, my favourite individual moments/sounds are Joe Zawinul playing the ARP synth on "Palladium." 9/10 5 stars.

Substantial jazz fusion for the new ear and listener.

80's rom-com theme music

There's only so far jazz will take you. 2.5

Had not listened to this album for quite some years - I listened to it three times this morning. Album still sounds fine to me, but could not get fully into it. Happy to return to it at a later time, so three stars seems appropriate.

Not my favourite Weather Report album, but still very good of course. Zawinul and Shorter were total geniuses.

The first half is entertaining jazz with recognizable motifs, then there is an unfitting live recording, and what follows is not of much interest anymore.

This album is not one of the top 1,001 of all time.

Where are the words. Kinda okay.

MOTR jazzy funk band from the 70s. Not what I'd class as particularly original but inoffensive.

I can't imagine what this music sounds like to normal, non bass playing, people. Do you like it?

I'll admit I've never been a 60s/70s jazz rock/fusion afficionado, or fan for that matter, so this album doesn't really do a lot for me. But I can see how "Birdland" became an instant classic (at least in certain circles), and I also enjoyed "Teen Town", both for brevity and the lead bass. It's also nice to get exposed to some Jaco Pastorius, as I've heard much more about him than anything *by* him, and I can see how much Weather Report benefited from his participation. And while I can see connections in this to music I've enjoyed listening to from decades ago (Jeff Beck, Al Dimeola, even some (later) Chick Korea and Herbie Hancock), I'm not sure I'd come back to this album, especially with all those awkward-sounding synth sections.

It's not my thing--and it sounds as if it may have inspired a number of 80s soundtracks.

Definitely the Weather Report album I am most familiar with. Birdland and Teen Town are absolute jazz fusion classics. I came to this album through hearing about Jaco over and over in music magazines.

This definitely sounds like the theme music to some old-school knockabout police show, and as such it's kind of hard to take seriously. How on earth this made it onto the list I have no idea at all.

Overall this album is not my thing, I've never been a fan of much smooth jazz. My favorite two tracks were the ones Jaco Pastorius wrote, Teen Town and Havona, and Havona on its own brought this album from a 2 to a 3 for me. I've always loved Jaco's bass playing, but the keyboards on Havona were what really got me.

I like Jaco and there's parts of this I like, but overall I found myself not too engaged in it. I think I'd warm up to it on repeated listens though. 3/5

B+

Amazing music to listen to. I remember a friend of mine showed these to me, and it was a whole experience.

ei paljoa kuulu puhepulinaa.. hyvä! jos ei kerrassaan ole mitään sanottavaa niin ei turhaa pälätystä tarvitakkaan! monet voisivat mallia ottaa .. hullun hyvä bassolinja = nopeatsi budududududdum ja vitun tylsän kuuloinen... tämä on proge jazz rock fuusion mahtavuus tuo sama basso budududududdududududududududududum.. voi että jos päällä olisi geddy leen kuuloinen helari laulamassa jostain abstraktista hevonpaskasta omgomg olisi viiiielä parempi omg omg... bassdsoo niin hullu oh mai gawd the bass on this omg.. (illuusio, illuusio musikaalisuudedta... paska basso... missattu pointti ovelasti...) a remark you made

The musicianship is impressive and ‘Birdland’ was a stand out track for me. The mix of jazz and funk well though some moments felt a bit too experimental for my liking. A solid 3/5

How can an album be compelling and also really boring at the same time? 🤔

Cartoon chase music 3/5

I can appreciate Jazz music however this one was quite dry. The one track that lit a fire under me was Rumba Mama, I would have loved more of this. I don't usually have to forward tracks but with this I felt the need to jump ahead to confirm that how a track started was indeed how it was ending. This would probably be appreciated by more technical listeners of Jazz.

Side A No. Title 1. "Birdland" 3,1 2. "A Remark You Made" 2,4 3. "Teen Town" 2,2 4. "Harlequin" 1,3 Side B No. Title 1. "Rumba Mamá" 1,3 2. "Palladíum" 1,6 3. "The Juggler" 2,5 4. "Havona" 2,8 Average 2,05

Easy listening jazz. Yawn

70s jazz fusion. I like it better ar christmas. Not the worst but not my time.

3.5/5. Not bad, I enjoyed this. Some decent Jazz that I should have paid more attention to. The album cover is also wild.

Primer acercamiento a Weather Report. Heavy Weather (1977) es el séptimo (y probablemente más exitoso) álbum de estudio de la banda neoyorkina, un trabajo que abarca el jazz fusión desde distintas composiciones y ritmos. Así, este LP logra dotar sus diversas canciones de característicos grooves, los cuales ponen a cada uno de sus miembros dando el máximo sobre cada uno de sus instrumentos. Si tuviera que destacar algún elemento negativo sería la estructura de un número no menor de canciones, las cuales o eran muy cortas o no llegaban a una satisfactoria conclusión. Además, considero que he escuchado mejores álbumes de jazz fusión, lo cual pudo haberme quitado un poco de la experiencia de disfrutar al máximo de este trabajo. Salvo esos detalles, considero que se trata de un correcto trabajo, el cual no deja de ser disfrutable. Además, recomiendo este álbum como un punto de partido dentro de este género. FAVTRAXS: Birdland, Palladium, The Juggler, Havona LEASTFAV: Rumba Mama 3/5 (podría ser un 3.5/5 en la teoría)

Abandoned mail music (positive). 3.5/5

Enjoyable jazz, not really my thing, as I don't know enough about it to properly appreciate what's going on, but I liked it and enjoyed listening to something I would never otherwise have heard.

As a drummer, this album is a masterclass in funk drumming/percussion. Alex Acuña and Manolo Badrena offer a thunderous and unrelenting performance, knowing when and when not to pull back the volume - while keeping up the intensity throughout. Jaco Pastorius's bass playing speaks for itself. The intro to "Rumba Mama" might be one of the most badass track intros I've ever heard.

had the krusty reaction ready for this one but actually listened to the whole thing and it wasnt awful

The soundtrack of the daydreamer!

Jazz album

Holy crap Lois is that a JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part Six Stone Ocean reference????!!!!

"Birdland" starts it off - and then the jazz flows to "Havana". Didn't realize this was Weather report. A decent album. Will repeat listen

Jazz

Ok

A very groovy album. Some songs felt a bit to much like a 1981 movie soundtrack, especially the more saxophone-heavy tracks, but other songs were real bangers.

I’m pretty sure the first few tracks of this was the soundtrack that Shannon Tweed got her knockers out to every Friday night in the late 90s on Channel 5 This project amazes me - I need an idiots guide as to why some of these albums are on here? 1.5

Jaco only needed 4... Bass nerds aside, the album is one of the pinnacles of fusion. It's a great play with awesome instrumentation. Birdland is newest Jazz standard I know of.

I’m. Sick. Of. 70s. Shit. 310 albums, 95 of them from the 70s. That’s ridiculous. As to this album, I have no idea what it is. Jazz, I guess? I don't get jazz, and then you add in all the weird 70s organs and I just can't.

Funcionou demais como trilha do café da manhã do domingo.

Decent Electric Jazz

This is almost the type of music they play on the Watercolors station that your Uber driver or local breakfast restaurant listens to. Opening track is pretty great, I guess less stands out from later on though.

I think this might be the level of jazz that I am comfortable with.

What a vibe! And Jaco on bass... just great.

It was ok. Not a huge fan of this genre. But is was decent.

A pretty average jazz fusion album, maybe a bit approachable than usual. It has few good melodies in it, but otherwise not that much juice.

Birdland is a certified classic but the rest just sounds like elevator music.

nothing particularly wrong with this it just has cheesy soap opera music vibes

Good background music, all instrumental, would definitely listen to the album again whilst working or something but not necessarily my cup of tea in terms of normal listening.

Not my taste

This endeavour keeps pushing me beyond my listening history. Weather Report is to Miles Davis what Any Winehouse is to Aretha Franklin : solid music without the same emotional depth. This did grow on me through the listen, but I’m sticking with my first impression : maybe jazz doesn’t need that 80s synth sound.

I tried. i tried so hard to love this. I made excuses for it. I blamed myself. I remembered that jazz is challenging, revealing listeners' limitations more than anything else... But this feels unfocused. Playful, but shallow. Like a kid that takes out all of the toys from the toy box but then doesn't really enjoy any of them and doesn't put them away. Maybe it's the "edge of the 80's" vibe, maybe it's that I just finished listening to Thelonious Monk, but--like a good boy--I finished all of the songs on the platter, but only because I was looking forward to some sort of dessert... Not an album or band I'll ever likely listen to again...

I can totally appreciate this album but I have to admit it didn’t grab me and kept sliding into the background. I think this is a band that would be amazing live.

Prog jazz? Not anything that I think I’ve ever needed.

"Birdland" and "The Juggler" were both good. It's jazz fusion, but there's a mellow groove emanating here that makes it much more listenable than most jazz stuff.

I forgot jazz could be smooth. I like the synthiness of some of this. This is like a 2.9/5

progejarre jaha

Been ages since I have heard this album.

There are a couple of good songs on here. Jaco Pastorius really shines. But in general, it’s all just too much

3 - Yeah it was okay, but felt like it lacked a bit of substance. Bit like a movie soundtrack almost

It ain't for everyone's taste, but I like it. Fave Tracks: Birdland, Havona 4/5

Klassieker en met reden! Geweldige nummers, origineel, en het begin van een nieuwe vertakking in de jazz.

Mag Weather Report grundsätzlich, das hier ist mir aber streckenweise zu nichtssagend. ***1/2

Play instrumental album. Just not my cup of tea.

The Weather Report today: disco with some smooth jazz later in the evening.

What a nice surprise! Really enjoyed the vibe of this album.

There are a couple decent tunes here but overall I don't find this type of jazz fusion particularly engaging

**Heavy Weather by Weather Report: An In-Depth Review** **Introduction** Released in 1977, *Heavy Weather* by Weather Report stands as one of the seminal albums in the jazz fusion genre. The album represents the pinnacle of the band’s creativity, blending complex jazz compositions with rock, funk, and world music elements. This review will delve into various aspects of the album, including its musical composition, lyrical content (though sparse), production quality, thematic elements, and the broader influence it had on music. Additionally, the review will assess the pros and cons of the album, providing a balanced perspective on its legacy. ### Musical Composition **Instrumentation and Arrangements** *Heavy Weather* is notable for its intricate and dynamic arrangements. The band, composed of Joe Zawinul (keyboards), Wayne Shorter (saxophone), Jaco Pastorius (bass), Alex Acuña (drums), and Manolo Badrena (percussion), delivers a performance that is both technically proficient and emotionally compelling. The opening track, “Birdland,” is perhaps the most iconic piece from the album. It’s a vibrant, energetic composition that blends jazz with a pop sensibility, making it accessible to a wider audience. The track is built around a catchy melody played by Zawinul on the synthesizer, supported by a tight rhythm section and Shorter’s saxophone lines. The use of unison lines between the bass and synthesizer, combined with complex chord structures, showcases the band’s innovative approach to jazz. “Teen Town,” composed by Pastorius, highlights his virtuosity on the bass. The track features a syncopated bassline that serves as both the rhythm and melody, a rarity in jazz music. Pastorius’ playing is fluid and melodic, demonstrating his ability to push the boundaries of the bass guitar. “Harlequin” and “A Remark You Made” offer a more introspective and lyrical side of the band. The compositions are lush and atmospheric, with Shorter’s saxophone providing a hauntingly beautiful melodic line. The interplay between Zawinul’s keyboards and Shorter’s saxophone creates a sonic landscape that is both serene and emotionally charged. **Harmonic and Rhythmic Complexity** The harmonic language of *Heavy Weather* is rooted in jazz but incorporates elements of rock and world music. Zawinul’s use of synthesizers allows for a broad palette of sounds, ranging from warm, analog tones to more abstract, electronic textures. The harmonic structures are complex, often utilizing modal scales and unconventional chord progressions. Rhythmically, the album is a marvel of syncopation and groove. Acuña and Badrena provide a percussive foundation that is both intricate and danceable. The rhythms often shift between different meters, creating a sense of unpredictability and excitement. “Rumba Mamá,” a percussion-driven track, showcases the band’s exploration of Afro-Cuban rhythms, adding to the album’s diversity. ### Lyrics and Vocal Elements *Heavy Weather* is primarily an instrumental album, which is typical of Weather Report’s style. The lack of traditional lyrics allows the music to speak for itself, with the instruments serving as the primary vehicles for expression. However, there are moments of vocalization, such as the wordless singing in “Birdland,” which adds a layer of texture to the music. The use of the human voice in an instrumental context is effective in conveying emotion and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the album. In this sense, *Heavy Weather* communicates its themes and moods through the interplay of melody, harmony, and rhythm rather than through conventional lyrical narratives. ### Production Quality **Sound Engineering and Mixing** The production quality of *Heavy Weather* is outstanding, particularly for its time. The album was produced by Zawinul and Shorter, with engineers Ron Malo and Bruce Botnick handling the technical aspects. The sound is crisp and clear, with each instrument occupying its own space in the mix. The balance between the instruments is meticulously crafted, allowing the listener to appreciate the nuances of each performance. The use of synthesizers and electronic effects is integrated seamlessly into the acoustic elements of the band. Zawinul’s keyboards, which range from Rhodes pianos to cutting-edge synthesizers, are given a prominent place in the mix without overwhelming the other instruments. The bass is warm and punchy, providing a solid foundation for the music while also being able to stand out when necessary, as in “Teen Town.” **Innovative Recording Techniques** One of the notable aspects of the album’s production is the innovative use of recording techniques. For example, the layering of multiple keyboard tracks in “Birdland” creates a dense and rich sonic texture. The use of reverb and delay on Shorter’s saxophone adds a sense of space and depth, giving the music an almost ethereal quality. The production also captures the energy and spontaneity of the band’s performance. There is a live, organic feel to the album, which is a testament to the skill of the musicians and the production team. The recording techniques employed on *Heavy Weather* were ahead of their time, contributing to the album’s status as a landmark in jazz fusion. ### Themes and Concepts **Exploration and Innovation** Thematically, *Heavy Weather* is an exploration of musical boundaries. The album does not adhere to a single genre or style; instead, it blends elements from various musical traditions to create something entirely new. This sense of exploration is reflected in the album’s compositions, which are adventurous and unconventional. The title *Heavy Weather* itself suggests a journey through different musical landscapes, each with its own mood and atmosphere. The album can be seen as a reflection of the turbulent and dynamic nature of the 1970s, a time of significant social and cultural change. The music is both a product of its time and a timeless expression of artistic creativity. **Emotional Depth and Atmosphere** While *Heavy Weather* is often celebrated for its technical brilliance, it is also a deeply emotional album. Tracks like “A Remark You Made” convey a sense of melancholy and introspection, while “Birdland” exudes joy and exuberance. The emotional depth of the album is achieved through the expressive playing of the musicians and the rich harmonic language of the compositions. The atmospheric quality of the music is another key theme. The album creates a sense of space and environment, drawing the listener into its world. Whether it’s the bustling energy of “Birdland” or the serene beauty of “Harlequin,” *Heavy Weather* is an album that engages the listener’s imagination and emotions. ### Influence and Legacy **Impact on Jazz and Popular Music** *Heavy Weather* is one of the most influential albums in the jazz fusion genre. Its success helped to popularize jazz fusion, bringing the genre to a wider audience. The album’s blend of jazz, rock, and world music elements has had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of musicians. The track “Birdland” has become a standard in both jazz and popular music. Its catchy melody and accessible structure have made it a favorite among musicians and listeners alike. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including The Manhattan Transfer, who won a Grammy Award for their vocal arrangement of the tune. **Influence on Musicians and Genres** Jaco Pastorius’ innovative bass playing on *Heavy Weather* has been particularly influential. His use of harmonics, fretless bass, and melodic playing style has inspired countless bassists across various genres. Pastorius’ work on the album is considered a benchmark for electric bass playing, and his influence can be heard in the music of artists ranging from Marcus Miller to Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The album’s fusion of different musical styles has also influenced the development of other genres, such as progressive rock and electronic music. Bands like King Crimson and Genesis incorporated elements of jazz fusion into their music, while electronic artists have drawn inspiration from the album’s use of synthesizers and production techniques. ### Pros and Cons **Pros** 1. **Musical Brilliance**: *Heavy Weather* showcases the extraordinary musicianship of Weather Report. The compositions are complex and innovative, yet accessible and engaging. 2. **Production Quality**: The album’s production is top-notch, with a clear and balanced mix that highlights the nuances of each instrument. The use of innovative recording techniques adds depth and texture to the music. 3. **Influence**: The album has had a profound impact on jazz fusion and beyond, influencing musicians across various genres. 4. **Emotional and Atmospheric Depth**: The album is not just technically impressive but also emotionally resonant, offering a rich and immersive listening experience. 5. **Iconic Tracks**: Tracks like “Birdland” and “Teen Town” have become iconic in their own right, celebrated for their composition and performance. **Cons** 1. **Accessibility**: While *Heavy Weather* is more accessible than some of Weather Report’s earlier work, its complexity may still be challenging for listeners unfamiliar with jazz fusion. The album demands active listening and may not appeal to those seeking more straightforward music. 2. **Lack of Lyrics**: The absence of traditional lyrics may be a drawback for some listeners who prefer vocal-driven music. The album relies entirely on instrumental expression, which may not resonate with everyone. 3. **Consistency in Innovation**: Some critics argue that the album, while innovative, doesn’t consistently push the boundaries of jazz fusion throughout all its tracks. While tracks like “Birdland” are groundbreaking, others like “The Juggler” may seem less adventurous. ### Conclusion *Heavy Weather* by Weather Report is a landmark album in the history of jazz fusion. Its blend of complex compositions, virtuosic performances, and innovative production techniques has earned it a place among the greatest jazz albums of all time. The album’s influence can be seen in the work of countless musicians across various genres, and its tracks continue to be celebrated for their creativity and emotional depth. While the album may present challenges for some listeners due to its complexity and lack of conventional lyrics , these aspects are also what make it a rewarding and enduring piece of art. *Heavy Weather* remains a testament to the power of musical exploration and the ability of artists to transcend the boundaries of genre. Whether you are a seasoned jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, *Heavy Weather* offers a rich and compelling listening experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I know the name of Jaco Pastorius, but never listened to Weather Report or any other Jaco projects. The fretless bass sound is certainly distinctive, I'm mostly familiar with the sound of fretless bass from Kate Bush's music. It does lend itself to a sprawling Funk inflected jazz riff. The other instruments here are nice as well, percussion stands out but the horns and keys get moments to shine as well. Some of the songs here are a bit too cheesy for me, honestly, and others are like the most virtuosic Mario Kart jams ever.

Nobody needs that much soprano sax

This Albums forecast: Boring and disjointed with a chance of scattered snooze early on. This 1001 project has introduced me to some off the beaten path Jazz fusion that I like, but this ain’t no “Ye Ye De Smell”.

I can recognize the talent of the players involved here. But damn…it felt like I was in a non-stop montage scene from a late 70s movie or at times trapped in the opening credits of an 80s sitcom that didn’t get renewed for a second season.

Someone’s gonna have to tell me how the last 80% of this album was.

I loved it! Psych… Fuck Jazz fusion.

In the words of Randy Jackson: that’s gonna be a no for me, dawg. Not really in the mood for 80’s sitcom elevator music. Lulz 1.5/5

This is a fun album, probably won’t rush back, but nothing to hate.

Pretty good probably won’t listen to it again

#312. Meh 2/5: nah Song added to playlist: Birdland I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

very warm and perky fusion jazz music that has a fair share of bossa and latin pop influence. heavy weather is a great title, i feel like this album literally sounds like this big.... windy storm, but if said storm had a dozen musicians just circling around and around. these basslines especially drive me crazy in the best way. there's just something so engaging about a lot of fusion albums, even if the songs were written with such thought and complexity, the average listener still has a positive mood and usually can always imagine every band member just smiling and having a grand ol' time. it's what makes these albums, including this one special.

Synthetic jazz. 2.5/5

Started incredibly strong

Not my thing. Didn’t enjoy at all.

this looks like ass tbh but i will give it a try <3 我会尝试 birdland- 5 a remark you made- tomodachi life lobby music. tomodachi life did it better bitch. 5 teen town- forgot. 5 harlequin- 4 or 5 rumba mama- 6 palladium- 5 the juggler- 4 or 5 havona- 5. the guitar is good favorite track- they all sounded the exact same.

Fantastic listen. Goes hard and unashamed.

Every time I get a jazz album I think this'll be the one where the genre clicks. This was not that album. Reminds me of some of the Zappa jazz shit that I like, but ultimately this is just not doing it for me.