To The Stars - Chick Corea

Mar

31

To The Stars - Chick Corea

≡ Category: 2000s, Fusion, Jazz Rock, Latin Jazz, Reviews, Worth A Listen |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

WORTH A LISTEN

Rating:

For a long time now, listening to each new Chick Corea recording has been a frustrating experience, and To The Stars is no exception.

Obviously, Corea’s abilities as a pianist have not diminished in the slightest since the glory days of the late 60s and early 70s. On To The Stars, Corea writes complex arrangements, and recruits technically accomplished musicians to realize them. It’s hard to find fault with the abilities of drummer Dave Weckl, bassist John Patitucci, saxophonist Eric Marienthal, and guitarist Frank Gambale.

And yet, the result is only intermittently entertaining, much less inspiring. Many of Corea’s artistic tropes are in evidence: an abundance of Latin rhythms, taken through familiar but ornate harmonic permutations; an emphasis on virtuosity; and an interest in Arabic modes.

I don’t really understand why, but most of the time, when Corea uses Latin rhythms, the results are tinny and theatric. I’m not sure why that would be. I mean, Chick Corea cut his teeth with Mongo Santamaria’s band in the 60s. He’s Latin himself. Light As A Feather is one of the greatest Latin influenced jazz albums ever waxed. But somehow, when Corea attempts Latin jazz these days, he almost always sounds cheesy. And there’s a lot of Latin themes on To The Stars. The only one that works for me is the perverted tango, Jocelyn-The Commander.

Corea does better when he’s working with African or Middle Eastern rhythms and modes. Anything but Latin. For example, I like the way he handles the 12/8 time feel of Johnny’s Landing. (For those of you who care, To The Stars is a musical reimagining of one of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s science fiction opuses. I say whatever inspires Chick is fine with me.)

I also enjoyed Hound Of Heaven, whose Carribean groove is reminiscent of late-period Weather Report, but in a good way.

The Long Passage is an admirably ferocious fusion workout which steers clear of needless bombast and cliches.

Still, in spite of many bright spots, the cutesy Latin stuff keeps To The Stars earthbound. Here’s an idea: why not pick up the two Chick Corea projects inspired by L. Ron Hubbard, To The Stars and The Ultimate Adventure, and put together a mix CD leaving out all of the wretched Latin tunes? You would end up with a darn fine CD.