Mysterious Traveller

'Mysterious Traveller' is a superb mixture of world music ,jazz and rock. The musical accents come via mostly from Africa, the jazz generally from Shorter's short but sweet sax interjections and Alphonso Johnson's funk inflected bass lines, while the rock derives from the driving pulsing rhythms courtesy of the two drummers present playing in tandem throughout.This album essentially takes the ideas of Miles Davis's 'In a Silent Way' ( an album that Zawinul and Shorter contributed to heavily) and builds on them, creating an identity build largely on electronic keyboards which supply much of the melody and texture.It seems to be fashionable to suggest that Weather Report's music sounds rather dated. Given the evidence of this album , I have to disagree. The standard of writing makes this one of W.R's more consistent albums- there is never a dull moment.The playing sounds inspired and not as in some very late W.R where the musicians often sound like they are there to back Joe Zawinul and little more.Also, this remastering job means that what used to sound rather dense and homogeneous in nature, now sounds brimming with life and sonic incident.Granted some listeners might find some of the synth sounds a tad quaint,but that aside this is one fusion album that has worn well.My only complaint is that Wayne Shorter should have been more in evidence.Where Wayne contributes as in his beautiful track,'Blackthorn Rose', the music takes on a more organic feel that is generated more by innate musicianship and group interaction then reliance on studio wizziness and keyboard electonica.There is plenty to love here- my faves..'Cucumber Slumber' and 'Scarlet Woman', but I promise there is not a duff track here. Could this be W.R at their most satisfying and adventurous?

I used to have a couple of Weather Report albums but somewhere along the line lost them. After catching a YouTube video I decided it was time to renew the relationship and bought this, my favourite album. I as surprised just how fresh their music still is. It really doesn't sound like it was recorded over 40 years ago. They always seem to just hold on to enough of the base melody that it still feels like a tune rather than "a one man band falling down a flight of stairs" - as a friend of mine once described modern jazz! If Michael Buble is your idea of Jazz this would likely be a shock but if you enjoy instrumental jazz of any period you should be able to get into the groove of this album. Happy memories.

I know this record from way back and I first heard it with a friend. We were both a little bit "out of our minds" at the time, I was so excited I was jumping on the settee and the stereo sounded fantastic. A couple of days later I went back and saw that the stereo was a complete piece of junk (the effects of altered consciousness) but who cares? That was a great night and I think this is easily Weather Report's best recording and their best line-up. I saw them play live in London, that was terrific too.

The first Weather Report I encountered, at uni in the 70s. Waves of nostalgia. Working their way towards Mr Gone (qv).

It's Weather Report sound of the great time in the history of the music.., wonderful and recommended

extra super cool cosmos night sex plastic shambolic mathematic dark bright experimental fusion electric brilliant jazz trip as contemporary as ever, listen it, sample it, go

This is my first Weather Report CD. It will be one that gathers dust but will get a play when a change of direction is required.

One of the truly great jazz albums.