Thursday, April 27, 2006
Jazz icon Chick Corea finds inspiration in Hubbard's works
Chick is getting great reviews for his latest album, inspired by a Sci Fi novel by L. Ron Hubbard
Here's the review in the Washington Post
"Don't let the music scare you," keyboardist Chick Corea said at the 9:30 club Wednesday night after promising to send everyone into outer space. Truth is, there was reason for concern, at least for listeners who take a dim view of concerts based on concept albums.
Corea recently reunited his Elektric Band and recorded "To the Stars," a fusion jazz-space odyssey of sorts inspired by the early fiction writing of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. A Scientologist himself, Corea devoted most of Wednesday's performance to this multifaceted suite, tracing its curious trajectory through what sometimes seemed like atmospheric layers of jazz, rock, funk, Cuban, Spanish and African music.
Much of the music was vibrantly colored and orchestrated by Corea on synthesizer, electric keyboards and piano, and riddled with shifts in tempo, harmony and meter. A Fender Rhodes keyboard generated plenty of retro thrust, evoking the halcyon, Miles Davis era of fusion jazz. Drummer Dave Weckl and bassist Ric Fierabracci (subbing for John Patitucci) underscored the mood with hammered funk beats and percolating grooves. Electric guitarist Frank Gambale took full advantage of the many opportunities to improvise, creating dazzling runs and intricate designs, while saxophonist Eric Marienthal countered with keening, alto-powered choruses.
Still, the most intriguing pieces weren't the most animated or busy. Instead, they featured Corea playing piano, balancing lyricism with dissonance, or Gambale on acoustic guitar, illuminating the flamenco-tinged ballad "Alan Corday." Some familiar tunes, including Jimmy Heath's "C.T.A." and Corea's "Got a Match?" triggered a free-spirited finale.
