Friday Music - FRM-32210 -  180 Gram Virgin Vinyl -  Pressed at RTI

Right from the start, a vastly different Weather Report emerges here, one that reflects co-leader Joe Zawinul's developing obsession with the groove. It is the groove that rules this mesmerizing album, leading off with the irresistible 3/4 marathon deceptively tagged as the "Boogie Woogie Waltz" and proceeding through a variety of Latin-grounded hip-shakers. It is a record of discovery for Zawinul, who augments his Rhodes electric piano with a funky wah-wah pedal, unveils the ARP synthesizer as a melodic instrument and sound-effects device, and often coasts along on one chord. The once fiery Wayne Shorter has been tamed, for he now contributes mostly sustained ethereal tunes on soprano sax, his tone sometimes doubled for a pleasing octave effect. The wane of freewheeling ensemble interplay is more than offset by the big increase in rhythmic push; bassist Miroslav Vitous, drummer Eric Gravatt, and percussionist Dom Um Romao are now cogs in one of jazz's great swinging machines.

The legendary Weather Report set the music world on fire back in the early seventies with their hypnotic blend of progressive-fused jazz with funk, prog-rock and soul, augmented with the brilliant and skillful musicianship of their superstar founders Wayne Shorter on saxophone and various electronic reeds and the late great Joe Zawinul on a stunning array of keyboards and electronic instruments. Both of these legendary musicians/composers worked with Miles Davis on his classics like Bitches Brew , plus solid tenures with legends like Cannonball Adderley (Zawinul) and Art Blakey (Shorter) all of which would prove to become the huge catalyst for things to come.

Throughout the seventies and beyond, Weather Report’s fine arsenal of recordings would take the band to the top of all the popular music charts. The 1973 fusion classic Sweetnighter would go on to yield one of the biggest albums of their career as it hit the top rungs of the jazz charts, plus major showings in the pop and R&B charts. No stone is left unturned, as this masterpiece is loaded with hit after hit with smashes like Joe Zawinul’s funk infused Boogie Woogie Waltz , the powerful Manolete by Wayne Shorter and of course Miroslav Vitous’ soulful Will .

As one of the most enduring albums in their massive career catalog, Sweetnighter took the fans by storm, forever retaining the title superstars to the Weather Report franchise. Friday Music is pleased to announce for the very first time on audiophile vinyl Sweetnighter by Weather Report. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios, this amazing classic truly shines in the audiophile vinyl domain. Pressed at R.T.I., this brilliant masterwork truly resonates as you remember from years ago.

Side 1
    1. Boogie Woogie Waltz
    2. Manolete
    3. Adios
    
Side 2
    4. 125th Street Congress
    5. Will
    6. Non-Stop Home