Chick Corea - Inner Space (1973) [Vinyl]

Review by Scott Yanow
This double album reissues Chick Corea's first album as a leader, Tones for Joan's Bones, adding two previously unissued tracks from the same session plus a pair of performances from a Hubert Laws date of the period that feature Corea's piano and writing. With such players as Joe Farrell on tenor and flute, trumpeter Woody Shaw, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Joe Chambers on this Corea date, the pianist performs five of his originals plus "This Is New" while The Laws cuts include Corea's "Windows." Throughout, this advanced hard bop music, which keeps an open attitude toward the avant-garde innovations of the period, is consistently stimulating. Even at this early stage, Chick Corea's playing is quite recognizable.

Bass – Ron Carter (tracks: C2), Steve Swallow (tracks: A1 to C1, D1)
Bassoon – Karl Porter (tracks: D2)
Drums – Grady Tate (tracks: C2), Joe Chambers (tracks: A1 to C1, D1)
Flute – Hubert Laws (tracks: C2, D2)
Piano – Chick Corea
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Joe Farrell (tracks: A1 to C1, D1)
Trumpet – Woody Shaw (tracks: A1 to C1, D1)