Good Collection of Various Sessions
lothar-the-conqueror | Lotharvania, USA | 04/28/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a good place to hear Jaco at various stages of his career working as a guest or session musician with an impressive array of artists. The work concentrates on the period 1974 - 1978 and features songs Jaco appeared on by artists including Airto, Flora Purim, Manolo Badrena, Albert Mangelsdorff, Ira Sullivan, and several others. Many of these albums are now either out of print or hard to find. Highly recommended."
A refreshing compilation by "The Worlds Greatist Bassist"
bassman01085 | Westfield, MA United States | 09/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must admit that at first I was a little apprehensive about purchasing this album but it is one of the best Jaco investments that I have ever made. The nine tracks on this album spans the years from 1974-1986 and includes such artists as Mike Columbier, Little Beaver, Manolo Badrena (former percussionist with Weather Report), Bob Mintzer, Airto, Ira Sullivan, trombone virtuoso Albert Mangelsdorff, Mike Stern and Flora Purim. You can hear the ingredients of "Opus Pokus" and "Liberty City" displayed in "I Can Dig It Baby" and "Ant Steps On Elephant's Toe" respectively.
The track that showcases the classic Jaco chops of old is the 1986 recording of Mike Stern's "Mood Swings". Recorded just two months prior to Jaco checking himself into the Bellevue psychiatric ward, this is the most masterfull bass playing that I have ever heard Jaco record since Word Of Mouth. Jaco just absolutely tears this cut up. Obviously Jaco was on top of his game the day this recording was made. Jaco is all over the instument playing double-stops and litterally playing rhythm guitar licks over Mike Stern's opening statement. This track absolutely rocks with Jaco clearly "strapped on" in the drivers seat. If anybody didn't know Jaco's frame of mind at the time this recording was made, there would be no way of knowing that many people labled Jaco as a derranged lunatic panhandling for money, sleeping on park benches and running around naked in the streets of NYC.
This album is definitly a refreshing "must-have" for any hardcore Jaco fan."
Unusual collection
bassman01085 | 02/05/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This collection brings together some of Jaco's recordings as a sideman. Included on this CD are "Dreamland" from Joni Mitchell's Don Juan' Reckless Daughter, as well as tunes recorded with Brazilian percussionist Airto and jazz multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1