Chick Corea will turn 70 on June 12. The Concord Music group is issuing two new albums in celebration of his milestone. Forever is a reunification of Restoration To Forever members Corea, drummer Lenny White, and bassist Stanley Clarke.
Also being released is the latest book in Concord's ongoing Definitive Series. The Definitive Chick Corea on Load and Agreement is a two-disc, 21-track compilation that spans the last three decades of the legend's career. While his 1970s material is missed, there are more than enough treats to preserve both old fans as good as new acquaintances happy and content.
The early 1980s found Corea joining forces with saxophonist Michael Brecker, drummer Roy Haynes, vibraphonist Gary Burton, and bassist Gary Peacock. In the 2000s he collaborated with the likes of vocalist Bobby McFerrin and guitarist John McLaughlin. The medicine with these artists and others continue a lot of ground, as Corea pushes the boundaries of not just love but of music itself. Tracks such as "Quartet No. 1," "Armando's Rhumba," "Bud Powell," "Blue Monk," "Crystal Silence," "Fingerprints," and the previously unreleased "La Fiesta" all render a nice appreciation of his sound and style through the latter portion of his career.
Corea has been a share of over 100 studio albums to see and has received 51 Grammy nominations. The music contained on The Definitive Chick Corea only begins to mark the rise of his vast catalogue. Yet it is a full presentation that will hopefully take the listener toward exploring some of his studio albums, which were built round a cohesive theme and concept.
When definitive and Corea appear in the same album title, you can't go wrong.
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