Song of the Pharaoh Kings

Although we are not fans of jazz fusion, re-listening to Chick Corea naturally brought us to Return to Forever. This particular composition is quite epic, complex, and illustrates the occasional highs reached by Return to Forever and jazz fusion.

Waltz For Bill Evans

I have long been a sucker for the elegant jazz-waltz. Here is an example of one, a tribute to the master of jazz-waltz, Bill Evans. Although Chick Corea is not my preferred jazz pianist, this is an interesting and dark jazz-waltz featuring some of my favorite musicians. Enjoy!

Straight Up and Down

I enjoy Chick Corea's earlier work quite a bit, although I am not a big fan of his style. I think Corea always knew how to surround himself with excellent sidemen, and he also understood composition and form even if at times his soloing leaves me wanting more. Anyway, this song, which is nothing like Eric Dolphy's masterpiece of the same name, features some noteworthy blowing from Joe Farrell, who almost sounds like Joe Henderson. "Litha" is also recommended.

Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

Early Chick Corea produced some great albums back in the late 1960s. I'm loving Roy Haynes on drums but Corea's sounding almost like McCoy Tyner's modal jams around the same time, but still distinct. Miroslav Vitous made the list of bassists I must check out. 

Recorda Me

Although I am not a big fan of Chick Corea, his Trilogy with Christian McBride and Brian Blade is one of my favorite recent jazz releases. On Joe Henderson's classic "Recorda Me," Corea lives up to his penchant for Latin jazz quite well. Brian Blade's drumming is spectacular, too, but Corea's ingenious piano solos twist and turn in surprising directions while McBride holds it down on a funky bass. One does not even realize it is just a trio because of the volume and space the trio occupies. Beautiful.

Armando's Rhumba

 

 A personal favorite from Chick Corea's Latin-inspired album, My Spanish Heart. Jean-Luc Ponty's violin playing is spectacular and brings to mind some of the best Cuban music.