Back in 2007, Chick Corea and Bela Fleck got together for a rich and rewarding duet album The Enchantment. Finally, a concert album of the collaboration is available, and it is even more intimate and engaging than the studio recording, as the verbal and musical rapport is palpable.
Corea and Fleck both introduce the pieces and converse about their music between tunes, bringing the audience into the creative process. As for the music itself, there is a mix of tricky and intricate fingerwork in pieces like “Joban Dna Nopia” and “Prelude en Berceuse” as well as moods more akin to Appalachia on “Mountain” and some down right bluegrass on a Flatt & Scruggs read of “Bugle Call Rag.” Corea gets dreamy on “Brazil” and “Waltse for Abby” and Fleck is deft on “Spectacle” while the two intertwine like licorice whips on “Sunset Road” and “The Climb.” As for swinging, it’s hard to beat “ Armando’s Rhumba,” but each piece, no matter how cerebral it may seem or actually get, has an underlying pulse that is hard to beat. A great meeting of the minds, hearts and fingers.
They are currently on tour, so try not to miss this show!
Stretch Records