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Some of the uptempo numbers exhibit an intensity that can rival just about anything this quintessential jazz-fusion bass player offers with WR, with Jaco's singular style of smooth-breakneck playing complimented by vibrant percussion in order to suck listeners right into the vortex of these jams. Essentially a series of high-noodling and free jams with a few exceptions, Pastorius still passes with flying colors due to a profound fluidity with his instrument.
"Portrait Of Tracy" is another bass-led ballad, this time showing off Jaco's harmonics. I prefer it to "Word Of Mouth", which is more consistant, but it isn't as good. Jaco opens his self-titled disc with a shot across the bow of all bassists and bass fans. The soul vocal song "Come On, Come Over", seems out of place on this disc. What takes the star away is its disjointed feel - it doesn't feel all of a piece. "Kuru/Speak Like A Child" is an upbeat song with good solos, particularily Herbie Hancock. Still, Jaco got some topnotch players.
"Forgotten Love" is strings-based and has Jaco on piano.This is a very appealing album, with some very good songs. "Cha-Cha" is fast-paced jam.
"Continuum" is a bass-led ballad showing off Jaco's tone and command of the fretless bass. "Okonkole y Trompa" sounds very Joe Zawinul-ish, it has running-in-place rhythm with a slow melody line.
His "Donna Lee" (with Don Alias on percussion) solo is the most famous song on this disc. "Opus Pocus" is slower-paced and the steel drums give it some world flavor.
Bass fans will love it, but this appeals to all jazz fans. It's fine, but doesn't really fit in.
The problem with this disc is that the lineup changes from song to song, so it's hard to keep track of who the soloist is on any track.
Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere. All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). In May of 2007, a new DSD remastered Japan mini-sleeve edition of this fabulous album was released (also incorporating something called HQD "High Quality Disc", "silver vapor manufacturing", whatever THAT means).The new DSD edition supplants this 2000 remaster as the best audio version currently available.Curiously, however, Sony Japan chose not to include the bonus tracks, nor the great booklet, of the 2000 edition.However, the audio is a notch above the 2000 remaster. The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.
Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date.
So, if you're looking for the best sounding version of this album, the new 2007 remaster is the way to go.Link to the 2007 DSD remaster of Jaco PastoriusWHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD. Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics. Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included.
Highly recomended to all bass players just starting out and even those that have been playing for years. My favorite Portrait of Tracy, displays Jaco's amazing ability to use harmonics musically. Enjoy Finally, the master's first solo album on cd. Fantastic stuff from someone who left us way too early in his life.
Please disregard any preconcieved notions you may have about Jaco and listen to the music, its solid. This remains one of my personal favorites. Buy this album and Bright Size Life, JACO LIVES. a great man named Kuato once said: "Open your mind". This Album will do just that, especially for bass players.
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