As good and interesting as yesterday’s record was, so nerve wrecking and annoying is this album. It goes to show that you really never can tell. There are probably fans of the genre of jazz-rock and funky soul, but count me out. Live they’re okay, just not at home.
Zawinul left the quintet in 1971, and he is replaced on this recording by pianist George Duke. Rock aficionados might know him from The Mothers of Invention, Frank Zappa’s band. He was asked by both, but in the end chose for Zappa. Here he represents the quintet’s desire to create more funky jazz.
The live recording was made in the Olympia in Paris. This 2000 seater first opened its doors in 1893, and hosted famous people in its long history. In its early years it was the favourite haunt of England’s King Edward VII, and it famously hosted three months of Edith Piaf right before she died in 1963. In fact, those performances saved the music hall from demolition. It was not the first, nor the last time that happened. Yet, the venue is still there, nowadays hosting mostly rock bands.