WEATHER REPORT — Mysterious Traveller (review)

WEATHER REPORT — Mysterious Traveller album cover Album · 1974 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
Warthur
Although it's highly praised in fusion circles, I personally don't find Weather Report's Mysterious Traveller to be quite the classic it's made out to be. It isn't helped by the fact that it's a transitional album, in which founder member Miroslav Vitous bows out to make way for new bassist Alphonso Johnson, and in which the band begin to experiment with African-inspired rhythms. The most successful track is probably Nubian Sundance, which is genuinely exciting and engaging, but the rest of the album is extremely laid back and, at points, seems to back away from fusion entirely and edge towards more traditional jazz forms. The jazz lover in me wonders why the band can't just play straight jazz without adding unnecessary fusion frills to the pure-jazz tracks, whilst the fusion lover in me finds the album hard to focus on and directionless.
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Warthur wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I guess the wonderful thing about music is that two people can listen to the same album and come away with completely different impressions.
mittyjing wrote:
more than 2 years ago
i'm trying to figure if this reviewer knows anything about this album. they fail to mention scarlet woman and mysterious traveler as good tunes from this album. jungle book is no slouch either.

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