Chick Corea-Corea.Concerto
Sony Classical

Listening to a new Chick Corea album is a reminder that any artist can escape the old formula sludge if the talent is there ! His continually evolving Discography is miles away from the usual formula found on the top ten. With a touch of dramatic vitality 'Corea Concerto' features a Jazz band surrounded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra touching on Mozart and flamenco. An impossible combination ? Not at all, divided into two parts 'Corea Concerto' first redresses Corea's 'Spain' a clean and imaginative flamenco masterpiece first recorded in 1973 and part two is a colorful tapestry of Mozart inspirations dedicated to the spirit of religious freedom. Near his death in 1980 Legendary Pianist Bill Evans described a true jazz artist as a musical chameleon possessed by such overwhelming inspiration that the only way to truly stay sane was to travel down as many different roads as possible. Chick Corea has looked at diversity and Reinvention not just musically but as a game plan for life. Deeply spiritual and an outspoken advocate for Scientology Corea started with the best as a kid juggling the classical inspiration of Beethoven, Chopin, Bach and Mozart while also being plugged into the Jazz world of Charlie Parker, Bud Powel and Lester Young. His albums easily describes a man who's not into being bored and who pushes himself past the boundaries of whats the 'In thing' in music. First garnering attention for his ambitious work as a member of the Miles Davis group in the late 60's Corea has rarely stayed in the same place for very long. During his three decade career Corea has worked with Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock and Gary Burton among others and created music that went far beyond Jazz Fusion with bands like Return To Forever and the Elektric Band. If your musical palate is suffering from intense boredom Corea Concerto is your answer ! - By John Beaudin