Chick Corea and John McLaughlin – Five Peace Band

This live two-CD set is a must have for any Chick Corea or John McLaughlin fan. The two have reunited and this time they’ve invited such great musicians as Christian McBride on bass, Kenny Garrett on saxophone and Vinnie Colaita (or Brian Blade) on drums to give their fans – veteran and new – a solid set of songs which spotlight their individual and collective talents. The discs offer beautiful solutions for fusion fans who have been yearning for the creative possibilities that this band offers. Corea’s unparalled quality and genius on piano is definitely something to behold, while McLaughlin’s dare to be different chops are as exciting as ever. 

Disc One opens with “Raju” an amazing song that sets your ears on fire from the opening note to the final chord. Tenor sax titan Kenny Garrett tears it up on “Hymn To Andromeda” a true burner with every band member “wide open” and filled with surprises. Christian McBride’s youthful rhythms brings this next great phase of Chick and John to his generation with interesting bass logic that incorporates blues, soul, funk and fusion.

On Disc Two, you get a real taste of the vintage jazz and blues that Chick keeps in his songbooks and pulls out at just the right time during this set. The 22 minute “Dr. Jackle” is followed by an extended 20 minute version of “Senor C.S.” the spellbinding tribute to Carlos Santana. Memories abound on “In A Silent Way,” the 1969 landmark piece Chick and John performed with Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland and Tony Williams that set their lives along amazing musical journeys that the world will never forget. 

The wonders of Chick Corea and John McLaughlin cannot be overemphasized. Their latest installment is a premier listening experience that has Chick’s best status symbols – his electric and acoustic pianos – having the last word on “Someday My Prince Will Come.” This recording is a truly ‘handcrafted’ prize that you’ll have to have in your collection. Turn it up!

Reprinted with permission of…