Genre > Jazz

In Weather Report’s fourth album the mysterious multi-instrumentalist Joe Zawinul travels once again through his virtually endless sound universe. And once again the question arises as to whether he will manage to leave his genetic fingerprint – without resorting to routine – on all the newly created sounds. The magic word here is naturalness, which makes its way safely and surely through the electronic backdrop.

"Nubian Sundance", performed with two drummers and a percussionist, twists and turns in an apparently disoriented, meditative fashion through a mix of sizzling sound and colours, leading up to the final live applause that brings this dance to a close and making it a real experience for all. Following the translucent, will-o’-the-wisp-like "American Tango" is "Cucumber Slumber" with its compact funky sound created by a cool mix of saxophone and the sucking sound of a synthesizer. The two protagonists Zawinul and Shorter seem to be on a par with one another in the dazzling title piece where the lyrical saxophone part is supported by thunderous piano chords. Warm, dreamy harmonies are heard for a short while, only to be hacked apart in "Blackthorn Rose" – this is no orbital music floating around in your head but sheer tension, which makes you clutch your seat until landing. Back on earth the mysterious traveller was received with open arms with the readers of Down Beat magazine voting the LP 'Album of the Year 1974'.

Musicians:

• Joe Zawinul (keyboards, percussion, vocals, guitar)
• Wayne Shorter (saxophone, piano)
• Miroslav Vitous, Alphonso Johnson (bass)
• Ray Barretto, Dom Um Romão (percussion)
• Skip Hadden, Ishmael Wilburn (drums)

Recording: 1974 at Devonshire Sound, North Hollywood, USA, by Ron Malo
Production: Josef Zawinul and Wayne Shorter

About Speakers Corner

At the beginning of the 90s, in the early days of audiophile vinyl re-releases, the situation was fairly straightforward. Companies such as DCC, Mobile Fidelity, Classic Records and, of course, Speakers Corner all maintained a mutual, unwritten ethical code: we would only use analogue tapes to manufacture records.

During the course of the present vinyl hype, many others have jumped on the bandwagon in the hope of securing a corner of the market. Very often they are not so ethical and use every imaginable source to master from: CDs, LPs, digital files, MP3s – or employed existant tools from the 80s and 90s for manufacturing.

A digital delay is gladly used when cutting a lacquer disc because tape machines with an analogue delay have become quite rare and are therefore expensive. When cutting the lacquer, the audio signal is delayed by one LP revolution against the signal, which controls the cutter head, and for this a digital delay is very often employed. Of course, the resultant sound signal is completely digital and thus only as good as this delay.

We should like to emphasise that Speakers Corner Records on principle only uses the original master tape as the basis for the entirely analogue cutting of lacquer discs. In addition, the pressing tool is newly manufactured as a matter of principle. We have one digital recording in our catalogue (Alan Parsons / Eye In The Sky“), but even in this particular case we used the analogue tapes for cutting.

We only employ existing tools for manufacturing if an improved result is not forthcoming, e.g. the title Elvis Is Back, which was mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray, or several titles from our Philips Classics series, which in any case Willem Makkee cut from the original masters at the Emil Berliner Studios in the 90s. It goes without saying that we only used the mother and that new tools were made for our production.

To put it in a nutshell: we can ensure you that our releases are free from any kind of digital effects – excluding the exception above – and that the lacquer discs are newly cut.

Mastered By Joe Reagoso And Manufactured At R.T.I.

The legendary Weather Report set the music world on fire back in the early seventies with their hypnotic blend of progressive-fused jazz with funk, prog-rock and soul, augmented with the brilliant and skillful musicianship of their superstar founders Wayne Shorter on saxophone and various electronic reeds and the late great Joe Zawinul on a stunning array of keyboards and electronic instruments. Both of these legendary musicians/composers worked with Miles Davis on his classics like Bitches Brew, plus solid tenures with legends like Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul) and Art Blakey (Shorter) all of which would prove to become the huge catalyst for things to come.

Throughout the remainder of the late seventies and beyond, Weather Report’s fine arsenal of recordings would take the band to the top of all the popular music charts. The 1977 fusion classic Heavy Weather would go on to yield one of the biggest albums of their career as it hit the top rungs of the jazz charts, plus major showings in the pop and R&B charts thanks to the top charting hit single Birdland.

No stone is left unturned, as this masterpiece is loaded with smashes like Joe Zawinul’s brilliant ballad A Remark You Made, the powerful Palladíum by Wayne Shorter and of course the funk assault of Jaco’s Pastorius on Teen Town all which made this a top charting album in 1977.

As one of the most enduring albums in their massive career catalog, Heavy Weather also features the all-star lineup of Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius (bass), Manolo Badrena (drums) and Alex Acuna (percussion). All in all, Heavy Weather took the fans by storm, forever retaining the title superstars to the Weather Report franchise.

Friday Music is pleased to announce for the very first time here on audiophile vinyl Heavy Weather by Weather Report. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios, this amazing classic truly shines in the audiophile vinyl domain. Pressed at R.T.I., this brilliant masterwork truly resonates as you remember from years ago.

To enhance your limited anniversary edition album experience, this first time audiophile vinyl release is also for a very short time being offered in a first time gatefold cover presentation, featuring the original album cover design by Lou Beach.

Welcome back and celebrate the music of Weather Report with their masterpiece Heavy Weather…an audiophile first time 180 gram vinyl Friday Music release.

A Remark You Made!

Pressed On 2 LP Limited Edition Translucent Red Vinyl At R.T.I.

The legendary Weather Report set the music world on fire back in the early seventies with their hypnotic blend of progressive-fused jazz with funk, prog-rock and soul, augmented with the brilliant and skillful musicianship of their superstar founders Wayne Shorter on saxophone and various electronic reeds and the late great Joe Zawinul on a stunning array of keyboards and electronic instruments.

Both of these legendary musicians/composers worked with Miles Davis on his classics like Bitches Brew, plus solid tenures with legends like Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul) and Art Blakey (Shorter) all of which would prove to become the huge catalyst for things to come.

Throughout the seventies and beyond, Weather Report’s fine arsenal of recordings would take the band to the top of all the popular music charts. The 1972 fusion live masterpiece Live In Toyko would go on to yield one of the most important albums of their career as it hit the top rungs of the jazz charts, plus major showings in the pop and r&b charts.

No stone is left unturned, as this masterwork is loaded with stellar classics and long extensive live workouts on smashes like Wayne Shorter's Eurydice and Tears, the Shorter/Zawinul collaroration Umbrellas and Joe Zawinul favorite Orange Lady.

As one of the most enduring albums in their massive career catalog, Live In Toyko in its original vinyl form took their fans by storm, paying hundreds of dollars for the original Japanese import if they were lucky to find one.

Friday Music is pleased to announce for the very first time on audiophile vinyl Live In Toyko by Weather Report. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios, this amazing classic truly shines in the audiophile vinyl domain. Pressed at R.T.I., this brilliant masterwork truly resonates as you remember from years ago.

To enhance your limited anniversary edition album experience, this first time audiophile vinyl release is also for a very short time being offered on translucent red audiophile vinyl in a first time gatefold cover presentation, featuring the rare original album cover design.

Welcome back and celebrate the music of Weather Report with their amazing Live In Toyko ... an audiophile first time vinyl release, only from your friends at Friday Music

Weather Report was one of the most influential jazz-fusion groups of their era, and outlasted many of its contemporaries such as Herbie Hancock's Headhunters and The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Despite many personnel changes over its 16 year lifespan, they continued to create groundbreaking music under the guidance of Joe Zawinul.

Bandmembers Zawinul, Shorter and Moreira all played the bands of Miles Davis and at first Weather Report was a direct extension of Miles' 'In A Silent Way'/ 'Bitches Brew' period.

But when bassist Jaco Pastorius became a bandmember in 1976, Weather Report entered their most popular phase including the release of 'Black Market'. This sixth album is influenced greatly by African music. Combined with jazz we could describe this genre as "world fusion".

Mastered By Joe Reagoso And Pressed At R.T.I.

The legendary Weather Report set the music world on fire back in the early seventies with their hypnotic blend of progressive-fused jazz with funk, prog-rock and soul, augmented with the brilliant and skillful musicianship of their superstar founders Wayne Shorter on saxophone and various electronic reeds and the late great Joe Zawinul on a stunning array of keyboards and electronic instruments. Both of these legendary musicians/composers worked with Miles Davis on his classics like Bitches Brew, plus solid tenures with legends like Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul) and Art Blakey (Shorter) all of which would prove to become the huge catalyst for things to come.

Throughout the seventies and beyond, Weather Report’s fine arsenal of recordings would take the band to the top of all the popular music charts. The 1973 fusion classic Sweetnighter would go on to yield one of the biggest albums of their career as it hit the top rungs of the jazz charts, plus major showings in the pop and R&B charts.

No stone is left unturned, as this masterpiece is loaded with hit after hit with smashes like Joe Zawinul’s funk infused Boogie Woogie Waltz, the powerful Manolete by Wayne Shorter and of course Miroslav Vitous’ soulful Will.

As one of the most enduring albums in their massive career catalog, Sweetnighter took the fans by storm, forever retaining the title superstars to the Weather Report franchise.

Friday Music is pleased to announce for the very first time on audiophile vinyl Sweetnighter by Weather Report. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios, this amazing classic truly shines in the audiophile vinyl domain. Pressed at R.T.I., this brilliant masterwork truly resonates as you remember from years ago.

To enhance your limited anniversary edition album experience, this first time audiophile vinyl release is also for a very short time being offered in a first time gatefold cover presentation, featuring the original album cover design.

Welcome back and celebrate the music of Weather Report with their amazing Sweetnighter…an audiophile first time vinyl release, only from your friends at Friday Music. Non-Stop Home!

Mastered Impeccably By Joe Reagoso And Manufactured By R.T.I.

The legendary Weather Report set the music world on fire back in the early seventies with their hypnotic blend of progressive-fused jazz with funk, prog-rock and soul, augmented with the brilliant and skillful musicianship of their superstar founders Wayne Shorter on saxophone and various electronic reeds and the late great Joe Zawinul on a stunning array of keyboards and electronic instruments. Both of these legendary musicians/composers worked with Miles Davis on his classics like Bitches Brew, plus solid tenures with legends like Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul) and Art Blakey (Shorter) all of which would prove to become the huge catalyst for things to come.

Throughout the remainder of the late seventies and beyond, Weather Report’s fine arsenal of recordings would take the band to the top of all the popular music charts. The 1976 fusion classic Black Market would go on to yield one of the biggest albums of their career as it hit the top rungs of the jazz charts, plus major showings in the pop and R&B charts. Black Market also introduced the world to the late great bassist legend Jaco Pastorius.

No stone is left unturned, as this masterpiece is loaded with hit after hit with smashes like Joe Zawinul’s title track Black Market, the powerful Elegant People by Wayne Shorter and of course Zawinul’s tribute to his recently deceased bandleader Cannonball Adderley with Cannon Ball.

As one of the most enduring albums in their massive career catalog, Black Market also features the all-star line-up of Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius (bass), Chester Thompson (drums) and Alex Acuna (percussion). Friends likes Michael Narada Walden and Alphonso Johnson also contribute to the amazing recording sessions. All in all, Black Market took the fans by storm, forever retaining the title superstars to the Weather Report franchise.

Friday Music is pleased to announce for the very first time on audiophile vinyl Black Market by Weather Report. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios, this amazing classic truly shines in the audiophile vinyl domain. Pressed at R.T.I., this brilliant masterwork truly resonates as you remember from years ago.

To enhance your limited anniversary edition album experience, this first time audiophile vinyl release is also for a very short time being offered in a first time gatefold cover presentation, featuring the original album cover design, plus the inner sleeve artwork now displayed beautifully inside the gatefold cover.

Welcome back and celebrate the music of Weather Report with their amazing Black Market…an audiophile first time vinyl release, only from your friends at Friday Music. Cannon Ball!

Mastered By Joe Reagoso And Manufactured At R.T.I.

The legendary Weather Report set the music world on fire back in the early seventies with their hypnotic blend of progressive-fused jazz with funk, prog-rock and soul, augmented with the brilliant and skillful musicianship of their superstar founders Wayne Shorter on saxophone and various electronic reeds and the late great Joe Zawinul on a stunning array of keyboards and electronic instruments. Both of these legendary musicians/composers worked with Miles Davis on his classics like Bitches Brew, plus solid tenures with legends like Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul) and Art Blakey (Shorter) all of which would prove to become the huge catalyst for things to come.

Their 1971 fusion classic self-titled debut Weather Report would go on to yield one of the biggest albums of their career as it hit the top rungs of the jazz charts, plus major showings in the pop and R&B charts thanks to the progressive jazz, funk and rock cohesiveness and articulate musicianship of this power quintet. No stone is left unturned, as this masterpiece is loaded with champions like Joe Zawinul’s brilliant Orange Lady, the powerful Milky Way by Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul and of course the prog leanings of Waterfalls and Eurydice all which made this a top charting album in 1971.

As one of the most enduring albums in their massive career catalog, Weather Report also features the all-star lineup of Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Miroslav Vitous (bass), Alphonse Mouzon (drums) and Airto Moreira (percussion). All in all, Weather Report took the fans by storm, forever retaining the title superstars to the Weather Report franchise.

Friday Music is pleased to announce for the very first time here on audiophile vinyl Weather Report by Weather Report. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios, this amazing classic truly shines in the audiophile vinyl domain. Pressed at R.T.I., this brilliant masterwork truly resonates as you remember from years ago. To enhance your limited anniversary edition album experience, this first time audiophile vinyl release is also for a very short time being pressed on stunning translucent blue vinyl and is featured in a first time gatefold cover presentation, featuring the original album cover design by Ed Lee. Welcome back and celebrate the music of Weather Report with their masterpiece Weather Report…an audiophile first time 180 gram vinyl Friday Music release.

Milky Way!

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Weather Report, the Zawinul estate is proud to release this live document of the supergroups appearance at the 1975 Jazztage Berlin, one of the oldest and most prestigious jazz festivals in Europe. This is the first time that this historic performance has been made available commercially

From the opening strains of Wayne Shorters propulsive Freezing Fire to Joe Zawinuls exotic Badia (a template for the world music movement that would come over a decade later), Live in Berlin, 1975 crackles with an audacious spirit of discovery and daring, underscored by an uncanny sense of group-thinking that allowed the band to be truly in the moment from tune to tune, from bar to bar.

Weather report's seventh album, released in 1977. It is the band's second album with bassist Jaco Pastorius, but on this one he is a permanent member of the band.

Its opening track, "Birdland", was a significant commercial success, something not typical of instrumental music. A striking feature of "Birdland" is Pastorius picking harmonics on his fretless bass.

Released just as the Jazz-rock or Fusion movement began to run out of steam, this landmark album proved that there was plenty of creative life left in the idiom.

"We played music that people listened to every day just as they watch the news every evening, music which changed constantly – just like the weather," reminisced Joe Zawinul when talking about coming up with a name for the group. This would probably frighten off listeners in today’s mass market. But back in those days CBS was satisfied with the group’s sound being somewhat similar to the Miles Davis Combo and offered them a recording contract without carrying out the usual sound check. The magic potion "Bitches Brew", which Zawinul and Wayne Shorter had conjured up with Miles Davis, was promising of exhilarating new things to come.

The heart-stopping mix of motivic fixed points and exciting improvisations, »the sketchy melodies, all that a synthesizer and other similar electronic devices could offer, combined with a Milky Way of rhythms« (Der Spiegel) was the pathway down which the group went – without ever becoming pure routine. The fifth album, "Tale Spinnin’", is captivating for its wealth of distinctive, often warm, synthesized sounds, which are further enhanced by Wayne Shorter’s bright, twangy soprano saxophone, lending it a jazzy aura. To be sure, this gripping jazz fusion never progresses steadily all the time, but takes up snatchy, though seemingly familiar, melodic ingredients and combines them to produce a new mixture. "Badia", however, is completely different: a quietly flowing and totally rhythmic ethnic work, which today would be classified as World Music.

Musicians:

• Joe Zawinul (keyboards, percussion, vocals)
• Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone)
• Alphonso Johnson (bass)
• Alyrio Lima (percussion)
• Leon "Ndugu" Chandler (drums)

Recording: 1975 in den Wally Heider Recording Studios, San Francisco, von Bruce Botnick
Production: Josef Zawinul und Wayne Shorter

About Speakers Corner

At the beginning of the 90s, in the early days of audiophile vinyl re-releases, the situation was fairly straightforward. Companies such as DCC, Mobile Fidelity, Classic Records and, of course, Speakers Corner all maintained a mutual, unwritten ethical code: we would only use analogue tapes to manufacture records.

During the course of the present vinyl hype, many others have jumped on the bandwagon in the hope of securing a corner of the market. Very often they are not so ethical and use every imaginable source to master from: CDs, LPs, digital files, MP3s – or employed existant tools from the 80s and 90s for manufacturing.

A digital delay is gladly used when cutting a lacquer disc because tape machines with an analogue delay have become quite rare and are therefore expensive. When cutting the lacquer, the audio signal is delayed by one LP revolution against the signal, which controls the cutter head, and for this a digital delay is very often employed. Of course, the resultant sound signal is completely digital and thus only as good as this delay.

We should like to emphasise that Speakers Corner Records on principle only uses the original master tape as the basis for the entirely analogue cutting of lacquer discs. In addition, the pressing tool is newly manufactured as a matter of principle. We have one digital recording in our catalogue (Alan Parsons / Eye In The Sky“), but even in this particular case we used the analogue tapes for cutting.

We only employ existing tools for manufacturing if an improved result is not forthcoming, e.g. the title Elvis Is Back, which was mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray, or several titles from our Philips Classics series, which in any case Willem Makkee cut from the original masters at the Emil Berliner Studios in the 90s. It goes without saying that we only used the mother and that new tools were made for our production.

To put it in a nutshell: we can ensure you that our releases are free from any kind of digital effects – excluding the exception above – and that the lacquer discs are newly cut.

Winner Of The Swing Journal Grand Prix Award And Jazz Album Of The Year From Downbeat Magazine

“One of the most impressive debuts of all time by a jazz group.” - AllMusic.com

Here we have the free-floating, abstract beginnings of Weather Report, which would define the state of the electronic jazz/rock art from its first note almost to its last. Their first album is a direct extension of the Miles Davis In a Silent Way/Bitches Brew period, more fluid in sound and more volatile in interplay. All Music calls it one of the most impressive debuts of all time by a jazz group. Weather Report is getting new life with this incredible pressing. Mastered from original tapes at 45rpm, and pressed on two 180 gram audiophile-grade vinyl. This is the essential edition of this album.

Legacy Recordings has gone to great lengths to present this classic album exactly the way it was originally intended, with all the warmth and nuance that only vinyl can offer!