Search - Stan Getz :: Captain Marvel

One of the most exciting jazz albums I own

Roger Berlind | NY, USA | 01/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether you call this Fusion, Latin Jazz, or just Jazz, it's incredibly exciting music by Stan Getz backed up by what was essentially Chick Corea's Return To Forever band, circa 1972. The first 3 tunes, "La Fiesta", "Five Hundred Miles High", and the title track are especially vibrant with soaring solos by Getz, outstanding bass riffs by Stanley Clarke, and inventive accompaniment by Corea and the percussionists. The second half of the album is more laid back, all 3 pieces starting out in a quieter vein, but "Times Lie" and "Day Waves" both warm up in places. I've had this CD for several years and consider it one of the most exciting Jazz CDs in my collection.



I recently got the "Sweet Rain" CD which Stan Getz and Chick Corea recorded together in 1967. It's interesting to compare the two albums. Both feature great improvisations by Getz with modern rhythm sections that do much more than merely "support" or "backup" Getz. Both also feature some songs by Corea quite prominently. The main differences are that Corea plays electric keyboards on "Captain Marvel" and that this album adds in extensive and exotic percussion by Airto Moreira. I think it fair to characterize the "Sweet Rain" album as mainstream although thoroughly modern Jazz of the late 1960s. I don't know much about jazz fusion music and don't really own any of it unless this CD counts; but I don't think the addition of electric keyboards and extra percussion should make anyone classify this music as very different from "Sweet Rain" or other music from small groups of the mid 1960s. Perhaps there are other aspects of the music (rhythm, harmony, etc.) that would force one to apply the "jazz fusion" label to this CD. But if you appreciate non-fusion Jazz from the 1960s, there is no reason for you not to like this CD, no matter what labels might be applied to it.



It is worth noting that the 2003 version of this album had 3 extra tracks that are not on the 2008 version: extra takes of the title track and "Five Hundred Miles High" and an extra tune by Chick Corea and N. Porter called "Crystal Silence". The last piece is fairly slow and quite haunting. Since the sound on the 2003 is very good (to my ears), I recommend getting the 2003 version if you can find it."

Finally, a recording worthy of the date.

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 04/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this one when it came out in 1975 and played it no more than twice. The mix of the rhythm section was so "hot" Getz at times sounded like someone drowning in the background or, worse, an old guy being run over by these young tigers. This latest edition sets the record straight. Getz was simply victimized by typical 1970s engineering--all bass and even more treble, with no respect for the man in the middle. And it didn't help that someone thought to "enhance" Getz' mellifluous tenor with moderate but unmistakable reverb. All in all, a grating experience.



With this 2008 reissue, Columbia/Sony finally got it right. Admittedly, the rhythm is frequently overly busy, and the Rhodes could use a breather now and then. But Getz plays beautifully, continually fresh, lyrical, emotive and exciting. He takes killer solos on "Captain Marvel" and "Times Lie," and what a revelation to be able to hear him breathe on "Lush Life." Consider this a "must" pick-up, even if it's your 2nd or 3rd."