The Future Is Now
Candid, 2023
10/10
The legendary pianist and composer Chick Corea treats us to a previously unreleased album of live recordings with Elektric Band- who reunited for these tracks captured in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“Charged Particles” opens the listen with Dave Weckl’s acrobatic drumming complementing Corea’s meticulous key progressions, and “Trance Dance” follows with John Patitucci’s strategic bass amid the buzzing keys, where a very warm, cinematic quality unfolds.
Into the middle, the punchy and rhythmic “Beneath The Mask” is full of funk filled fun, where Frank Gambale’s frisky guitar won’t go unnoticed, while “Ished” benefits much from Eric Marienthal’s bright sax bouts in the stop and start dynamics.
The last 2 selections don’t disappoint either, as the mysterious intimacy of “Johnny’s Landing” builds into a thick highlight of rich and thumping jazz-rock, and “Got A Match?” exits with a quick and animated demeanor, where Corea’s key manipulation is nothing short of fascinating.
Available on 3 disc vinyl LP and 2 disc CD, the package comes with in depth liner notes from Corea, and all of the Elektric Band members. Corea picked up an incredible 27 Grammys during his career, and this flawless release documents his timeless jazz fusion that will inspire and amaze people indefinitely.
Travels well with: Max Roach- We Insist!; Charles Mingus- Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus