The always creative and prolific pianist/keyboardist/composer Chick Corea has released a new project with drummer Steve Gadd. The project is a two-disc studio album called Chinese Butterfly. Featuring five epic new Corea compositions, and a supporting band of guitarist and vocalist Lionel Loueke, saxophonist and flutist Steve Wilson, bassist Carlitos Del Puerto, and percussionist Luisito Quintero. Corea and Gadd have a fifty-year musical partnership and on this project the two are better than ever. With funk-based grooves, flowing Latin based rhythms and dazzling solo excursions, the entire band is pushing the boundaries of jazz with heart and passion. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
Intricate melodies and flowing song forms that cover adventurous sounds and harmonies. Corea’s compositions are outstanding, as usual, and the band is flawless. The shared history of the two leaders is evident and inspired the band for seriously musical improvisations and band interactions.
Bottom Line:
Fun energetic funky sambas to introspective suites, Chinese Butterfly is an adventure in the spirit, joyously celebrating through music. The band is excellent, Corea’s compositions are developed and his storytelling is unmatched. The project as a whole is a collection of outstanding playing and listening. The two build upon the core musical sound that they both share and love, not trying to find the latest new sound, but building and developing the sound and music they have shared for fifty years. Corea and Gadd continue to make vital, bold, and communitive music that speaks from the heart to the heart of the listener.