Recorded back in 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida, this album displays what we all miss about the great Chick Corea. Teamed with members of his Elektric band, but in Akoustic form, Corea is still nevertheless electric with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl with an exciting set that includes Corea’s fingers bouncing about on the sparkling “Morning Sprite” or contemplatively building up into ecstasies on “A Japanese Waltz”.
Corea was one of the few masters who could give tribute to jazz icons and yet still sound like himself. Here, he and his team serve up a soulful plate of Duke Ellington’s “In A Sentimental Mood”, while Corea takes “Monk’s Mood” and adds wild and prismatic harmonies. His solo intro to the standard “On Green Dolphin Street” is a glowing baton that he hands off to Patitucci and Weckl. For his part, Patitucci delivers an emotionally bowed solo on “Eternal Child” and creates sparks on his solo of “Humpty Dumpty” along with Weckl’s spotlight.
Chick’s wife Gayle even jumps on to the stage for an elegant take of “You’re My Everything”, which makes sense as Corea saw every musical form as an opportunity to celebrate what we call “life”. This two disc set is a testament to his musical vision, and worth keeping in your musical library.