Chick Corea Elektric Band
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| Chick Corea Elektric Band | |
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| Years active | 1986–present |
| Genres | Fusion/Jazz fusion |
| Labels | Stretch, GRP |
| Members | Chick Corea John Patitucci Frank Gambale Dave Weckl Eric Marienthal |
Chick Corea Elektric Band, led by renowned pianist Chick Corea, is one of the most critically acclaimed jazz fusion bands of the past two decades. Following the demise of Return to Forever, Corea established the musical ensemble in 1986. The Elektric Band is greatly different in style in comparison with Return to Forever in that it signified a move away from rock-oriented fusion into a more Post-bop style. Following a long hiatus, the band reunited to produce "To the Stars" in 2004.
[edit] Albums
The first album can be described to be "jazz-rock", though it is much closer to traditional jazz than jazz-rock albums of 1970s. Keyboard sounds typical for mid 1980s plus Weckl's electronic drums dominate the album's sound, with the guitar duties split between Scott Henderson and Carlos Rios. The second album, Light Years (1987) is more funk-oriented than its predecessor. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal joins the band and Frank Gambale replaces Henderson and Rios (who plays still on some tracks of the album). Thus, the definitive line-up of the band is ready. Third album, Eye of the Beholder, relies on softer sounds acoustic piano being Corea's main instrument. Also Gambale takes acoustic guitar on some tracks. The album takes some distance from the jazz-rock and jazz-funk and relies on more gentle compositions. The fourth album, Inside Out (1991), features some compositions that rather fall in post-bop than fusion gategory. The album closing four piece opus, "Tale of Daring", is very avant-gardish of its nature relying on unconventional melodies and relatively free improvisation. Two compositions, the title track and "Kicker" represent clearly fusion music. Corea still uses mostly acoustic piano but Gambale plays electric guitar throughout. The last album that the most long lasting line-up of the band recorded was Beneath the Mask (1991) on which the band returns to electric jazz-funk of the second album. Next album, Elektric Band II: Paint the World (1993), is made with a different line-up only featuring Corea himself plus Eric Marienthal from the previous era. The album's style can be described as modern jazz, crossing between post-bop and fusion. In 2004, the definitive line-up returned with the album To the Stars (2004), that is stylistically close to avant-garde and post-bop that was heard on Inside Out.
[edit] Discography
- Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986)
- Light Years (1987)
- Eye of the Beholder (1988)
- Inside Out (1990)
- Beneath the Mask (1991)
- Elektric Band II: Paint the World (1993)
- To the Stars (2004)
