Wayne Shorter - Native Dancer (1974) [2000 SACD]

Some jazz purists would say that Wayne Shorter went downhill in the 1970s, when he passionately embraced electric jazz-fusion & co-led the innovative Weather Report with Joe Zawinul. But remember: Those are the same people who also claim that Miles Davis’ stunning Bitches Brew has no value & that Chick Corea’s visionary Return to Forever was a complete waste — so it’s hard to take their opinions seriously. The fact is that the 1970s were a highly productive time for Shorter, & it wasn’t until the 1980s that the tenor & soprano saxophonist really declined creatively. One of Shorter’s best-selling albums from the 1970s was Native Dancer, a Brazilian-oriented jazz-fusion masterpiece that boasts Herbie Hancock on acoustic piano & electric keyboards, & employs such Brazilian talent as singer Milton Nascimento (a superstar in Brazil) & percussionist Airto Moreira. Everything on this melodic, consistently lyrical effort is a jewel, & that includes Hancock’s Joanna’s Theme as well as pieces by Nascimento (From the Lonely Afternoons, Ponta de Areia, Tarde, Lilia, & Miracle of the Fishes) & by Shorter himself (Ana Maria, Beauty & the Beast, & Diana). Reissued on CD by Columbia in 1990, Native Dancer is clearly among Shorter’s most essential albums.
~ Alex Henderson


Tracks:

01. Ponta De Areia 5:14
02. Beauty And The Beast 5:12
03. Tarde 5:46
04. Miracle Of The Fishes 4:46
05. Diana 3:01
06. From The Lonely Afternoons 3:13
07. Ana Maria 5:07
08. Lilia 7:01
09. Joanna's Theme 4:21

Personnel:

Wayne Shorter – Saxophone, Sax (Soprano), Sax (tenor)
Milton Nascimento – Guitar, Vocals
David Amaro – Guitar
Jay Graydon – Guitar
Herbie Hancock – Piano, Keyboards
Wagner Tiso – Organ, Piano
Dave McDaniel – Bass
Roberto Silva – drums
Airto Moreira – percussion