Chick Corea Elektric Band II - 1993 "Paint The World"

Chick assembled a brand-new lineup for his Elektric Band to record Paint the World, and the results are phenomenal: Chick’s ambitious compositions meet with virtuosic, energized performances from this band of masters. With Eric Marienthal on saxophone, Mike Miller on guitar, Jimmy Earl on bass and Gary Novak on drums, Paint the World explores both acoustic and electric territory, resulting in another entry in the stellar Elektric Band discography.

Chick Corea's Elektric Band II found bassist John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl and guitarist Frank Gambale going out on their own and being replaced by Jimmy Earl, Gary Novak and Mike Miller. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal was the only sideman from the first Elektric Band to stick with Corea. Although the new members are not as distinctive as their predecessors, the high-quality material played on this release (which includes Jimmy Heath's "CTA," "Blue Miles" and a variety of Corea originals) is very jazz-oriented and occasionally there are straightahead sections. This set is recommended even to listeners who have not yet acquired a taste for fusion.

Here, Chick took a very different approach to the Elektric Band paradigm, namely he left more open space for improvisation as opposed to mapping out nearly every last note or being overly concerned about airplay potential. There was also a major lineup change, Chick and saxophonist Eric Marienthal being the only holdovers from the first EB. The new participants were guitarist Mike Miller, drummer Gary Novak and bassist Jimmy Earl.

And did the change help? Mostly, YES!

The band overall ahs a much looser feel to it, thanks in no small part to drummer Gary Novak who brings an entirely different attitude and approach than Dave Weckl's, not a slam, just a contrast. Gary has a wonderfully loose funky creative style of drumming that is a good fit for Chick's music.

Bassist Jimmy Earl comes into the equation taking the unusual approach of NOT soloing at all, but preferring to concentrate on making the music groove, and groove he does! Not everyone can do what his predecessor John Patitucci did so beautifully (namely play lead bass and NOT come off like a show-offy wanker) and Jimmy wisely keeps that in mind, but his playing is FAR beyond anonymous thumping P-Bass minimalism too.

Guitarist Mike Miller is a real treat too, bringing a tart, biting sound and an angular melodic sense to the table yet playing with a lot more soul than uber-chopsmeister Frank Gambale could ever hope to. His biting solo on "Ritual" is especially fun to dig into.

But that said, I dare say, the songs themselves are a LOT more fun to listen to here, as opposed the the uptight and overly fussed with and mind-numbingly predictable predecsssor "Beneath The Mask". There's far more breathing room for each musician and a much looser organic sound in general. Chick actually goes rather sparing on the synths here, preferring to hit mainly pianos. One of the discs high points is "Ritual" a more biting electrified version of a piece that originally appeared on his excellent 1981 release "Three Quartets". "Tumba Island" is a rather odd yet endearing piece based on some dance music that Chick hear while on vacation on a particular island. Elsewhere, the twisty melodies fly and everyone sounds like they're having a ball playing, which is VERY important.

It's a shame this version of the EB didn't stay together very long, at least judging by what was on here, it could've evolved into a VERY exciting electric-jazz outift. Definitely recommended, gripes about EM notwithstanding.

This is simply a top notch Jazz fusion effort from Chick Corea and the Elektric band II. What attracted me to this project was the generous helpings of Fender Rhodes keyboard and electric guitar.The songs draw more from Jazz than Rock, but rely on both to create a set of mostly uptempo groove oriented tunes excluding the ethereal Silhouette. What can you say about Corea'a skill? In my opinion his fusion chops have never sounded better and the musicians he employs are extraordinarily complimentary. If you enjoy Jazz Fusion from the mid 70's through early 80's as I do you'll love "Paint the world".

Track listing:

1. Paint The World (3:56)
2. Blue Miles (5:30)
3. Tone Poem (6:47)
4. CTA (5:47)
5. Silhouette (1:43)
6. Space (6:03)
7. The Ant & The Elephant (7:31)
8. Tumba Island (5:57)
9. Ritual (7:34)
10. Ished (7:14)
11. Spanish Sketch (8:06)
12. Reprise (2:50)

Total Time 68:58

Personnel:

- Chick Corea / piano, keyboards, synth programming, producer
- Mike Miller / electric & acoustic guitars
- Eric Marienthal / sax
- Jimmy Earl / bass
- Gary Novak / drums