You think that only younger guys like Kamasi Washington are able to release ambitious multi-disc sets? Think again, and take a gander at a Master in action!
This 3, count ‘em, 3 disc set of Shorter has him with his long time team of Danilo Perez/p, John Patitucci/b and Brian Blade/dr, both in a “simple” quartet setting, and also joined with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for a handful of songs. The larger ensemble was recorded in studio while the quartet is captured from a gig in London. Also included here is a graphic novel written by Shorter and Monica Sly along with drawings by Randy DuBurke. What? No dvd?!?
The mix of quartet and chamber orchestra for Shorter’s own compositions such as “Promethius Unbound” and “The Three Marias” (both also featured during the concert) are gloriously revelatory, with a mix of freedom and explorative yet contemplative bass teaming with kinetic drums and soprano on the former while you get rich gasps by Shorter on the brooding and explorative latter. The strings serve as gentle guideposts and added textures to enhance and give extra depth of harmony to the freethinking performances.
During the London performances, Shorter’s sighing and gasping soprano splats, veers and drops like a pelican looking for food on the adventurous and playful “Lotus and Orbits Medley” with some exciting restless rustling from Perez’s fingers. Patituci’s fingers prob deep on his intro to “She Moves Through The Fair” with drums and piano push-pulling like a Sunday picnic tug of war. The team is in a spry mood as Shorter’s soprano skips along during “Adventures Aboard the Golden Mean” and comparing the no-holds-barred “live” takes of “Prometheus Unbound,” “Lotus” and “The Three Marias” makes for rich and repeated reflections. Shorter throws down the gauntlet on this one!