Customer Reviews

Ultimate Adventure

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This beautiful, Spanish-tinged work by Chick Corea seems a throwback to the recordings the venerable jazz pianist/composer made in the 1970's. Given the overt influence of flamenco (several of the musicians are veterans of Paco de Lucia's group), one thinks immediately of "My Spanish Heart" (1976). But, with the modal vamps, odd time signatures and (tasteful) deployment of the Fender Rhodes and synthesizers, one can also discern links to similar "tone poems" (as Corea refers to them) such as "The Leprechaun" and "The Mad Hatter". The individual tunes may not have the immediate, infectious appeal of those on "My Spanish Heart" (a veritable classic), but the variety of expressive moods, richness of harmony (strains of Debussy and Berg), flowing improvisations and pulsating rhythmic grooves found in the passages of "The Ultimate Adventure" constitute a real listening pleasure. Audiophiles will be especially pleased with the immaculate production. A minor caveat: Frank Gambale's acoustic guitar playing (some of the last tracks) while competent enough, was somewhat lackluster. Too bad one of Chick's other guitar-playing friends (Al Di Meola or John McLaughlin) couldn't have taken a stab at the changes.

To this reviewer, it is of no aesthetic consequence that the material on "The Ultimate Adventure" was inspired by a story attributed to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. At the Berkeley stop of his current tour, Corea (long-time member of that organization) was laughed at and mocked by some cretinous audience members for merely mentioning the origins of his composition; is not a modicum of civilized tolerance due an artist with 40 years of creative endeavors under his belt? As an Orthodox Christian, I have absolutely no interest in Scientology, but I respect the fact that Chick Corea continues to find in it a form of inspiration. Finally, what might be seen as promotion of Hubbard's book (it is advertised in the album liner notes) may be more charitably viewed as nothing other than Corea sharing something that made a positive difference in his life. No one is under any compulsion to investigate further; a case in point being made in the fact that this reviewer paid no attention whatsoever to either the story background or the individual track titles, preferring to enjoy the music in serene (though not malevolent) indifference to its origins.

i'm an old corea fan from way back, very much into his return to forever days...later stuff i couldn't really get into. took a chance on this cd and was pleasantly surprised; i think if any of his fans liked his earlier material you won't be disappointed; i really enjoy it.

This is the Chick Corea we long-time fans know and love. But this time it's more about his brilliant compositions and expert performance with a great group than the freewheeling improv we have heard at times. It is richly textured jazz with liberal sprinklings of world music and some classical influences. I'm not familiar with the story this music is based on, but listening to it is an adventure I'm happy to experience in my own imagination.

A very beautifully orchestrated record. I feel that chick correa really nailed the ideas that he was trying to get across. there are many , many moments of complete clear , crisp and very refreshing conversation in every piece. i really enjoyed the amount of space in his music also, a very playful and enjoyable album.

This CD, the follow-up to "To the Stars" (another L. Ron Hubbard book Chick has arranged musically) is just nothing short of incredible. Chick calls this a Tone Poem which of course is the label given to Richard Strauss' pieces like Thus Sprac Zarathustra, and Ein Heldenlaben. This is an appropriate label since this is the telling a a story.

The music presented here jams right along. Musical styles ranging from Spanish and African and Middle Eastern traditions. Some great solos by all the performers. Chick decided to have all of these performers play certain pieces on the CD so not everyone is on every cut. He pulled together some of the best musicians in the business. Many from Paco de Lucia's band Touchstone (check out the new CD by Chick with Touchstone called Rhumba Flamenco available only on www.chickcorea.com) as well as Hubert Laws, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Airto Moreira, and Hassam Ramzy.

Keep up the great work Chick.

There are few artists who are as uncompromizing as Chick Corea - how sad that other aging artists cannot follow his brilliant example. Chick Corea is like good wine - he gets better with age. He is bent on pursuing his unique musical vision, no matter what direction the rest of the music scene is heading into (decay probably) - this is clearly manifested on this latest offering from Chick. It is a thoroughly enjoyable album, probably his best work in years, and if you are a Return To Forever fan, you might say, his best since their disintegration.

This is essentially a Latin-tinged fusion album, which is what Chick is all about, really. There is a relaxed swing feel throughout, often leading into a frantically paced fusion passages reminiscent of progressive rock, some fiery middle eastern jams, sambas, bossas, flamenco, post-bop, and plenty of classical influences, apparent in the compositional structure and style. The arrangements are very lush with flute and piano dominating. Despite the overall evenness, there are several tracks that stand out from the others. The fairy-tale atmosphere created by flute/piano permeates the entire album. Drumming is superlative, especially in the more frenetic and intricate passages, where the drums and keyboard/flute are fused into a singe tight unit. On some tracks the latin percussion is hotter than Santana's in his prime.

Now, some people have a problem with Chick selling Scientology. Personally, I don't give a toss about Scientology or any other "ology" or "ism" for that matter, but this does not bother me - if it makes Chick a happier person, then let him be. It certainly does not appear to hurt his music in any way.

This album is sure to appeal to core Chick Corea fans, especially those graying hippies, who grew up on Return To Forever, progressive rock (Yes, Genesis, ELP), Science Fiction and utopian philosophies. Perhaps some jazz snobs - I mean purists - will have a bone to pick with this album, but then they usually have a bone to pick with fusion in general. The rest of us will eat it up and ask for more.

This music does sound like Chick's "Ultimate-Career-Defining-Musical-Adventure", but I hope not. May there be more to come like this one!

I'm a huge fan of Chick Corea. The previous album "To the stars" was not as great as this (although I watched the Electric band perform those songs in Toronto and was amazed by the performance). At first you listen to the songs and it somehow sounds the same. Then, as you play it over and over again you start to discover the depth of the compositions. It reminded me of when I first listened to "The Leprechaun", I was not impressed but kept listening and now that is one of my favorite Chick Corea albums. Sometimes it takes time to really appreciate something. If you love good instrumental music buy this. The musicians are outstanding.

Chick Corea's body of work is incredible. This IS Chick Corea. If you like Chick, buy this recording. If you don't like him, don't buy it. It REALLY IS that simple. So what if he is into Scientology? If you don't like an artist ONLY because they are into Scientology then you are an idiot. Yes, this recording is similar to the Mad Hatter days if you HAVE to compare it to anything but it's also different. Chick NEVER has tried to "reinvent" himself. This great artist has had a lot to say over his career. Go back to his earliest recordings on Blue Note as a sideman, then into the "Tones for Joan's Bones" era. Follow this amazing artist's musical life in ALL it's phases and you will find that there has always been a consistent high level to be enjoyed and savored. His phase's with Miles, RTF, Solo Piano, Electrik and Acoustic bands, New Trio, etc etc. THEN, LOOK and LISTEN to the artists he has performed with and employed. He has guaranteed a secure future for so many artists just by their association with him. After all is taken into consideration, ANY recording that Chick releases is a MAJOR event indeed! The Ultimate Adventure is NO exception. This is VERY enjoyable music. After all, isn't that really what you want to know when you read a review?

This one reminds me of "Musicmagic" or "The Mad hatter." It is a magnificent musical adventure!

I guess you either love or hate this recording. I've been listening to lot's of "fusion" since I was about 20. My entry into this marvelous world was through RTF's "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy". A kid from West Virginia suddenly realized the world was a lot more interesting than he had believed. I left good ole' WV a few years later and one of the reasons was Jazz. Just one, but an important one. Without boring anyone let me just say it helped reaffirm my courage. Now as far as the "Ultimate Adventure" is concerned. It's a frikin' awesome recording! It is the first Chick Corea music that I have really, really liked in about 20 years. This one is absolutely worth buying. Those that say they liked other Corea stuff but not this CD are either not real fans or haven't listened. If you like Chick buy this CD. Someone from WV who openly admits liking Jazz would not lie.