Joe Zawinul's 'Brown Street'

The new Joe Zawinul release, Brown Street, has arrived from Heads Up, who are releasing it here in the U.S. on February 27. The 2-CD set features Zawinul along with Alex Acuna, Victor Bailey, and Nathanial Townsley. This small group plays along with the WDR Big Band, with arrangements by Vince Mendoza. Zawinul has stated that the objective was not to do a covers album, but instead to arrange the tunes (many of which were originally performed with Weather Report) in such a way that there was still room for the small group to groove within the written big band arrangements.

The arrangements are really nice, and the presence of horns allows Zawinul to be a little less orchestral with his trademark synth work. The small group is very cohesive, not surprising since Townsley is currently with Zawinul's Syndicate band, and Bailey and Acuna are both Weather Report alumni. The set list includes "In a Silent Way," "Black Market," and "Boogie Woogie Waltz." There are some great solos from the WDR players as well. A full review is forthcoming, but this one sounds like a keeper after the first two listens.

--MIB--