Recorded at Kendun Recorders Inc, Burbank, California. After his days
as the leader of the highly successful fusion group Return To Forever,
Chick Corea turned to a more traditional style in his solo career.
FRIENDS from 1978 featureselements of swing, Latin music and the
sensitive intimacy inherent in a small acoustic ensemble. And what an
ensemble it is; no less than Joe Farrell (reeds, flute), Eddie Gomez
(bass) and Steve Gadd (drums) are on hand to masterfully interpret
Corea's dynamic compositions. The results are nothing less than
magnificent. It takes little time to hear why these four virtuosos were
the most in-demand musicians of their era. The opening "The One Step"
offers a caressing melodyby Corea on the Fender Rhodes piano, opening
up into a tight, swinging solo section driven by the inimitable Gadd.
The flowing "Waltz for Dave", a tribute to Dave Brubeck, swings lightly
as Farrell turns in a spectacular flute performance.Things really start
to burn on "Samba Song", a muscular Latin piece that each member
executes impressively. Likewise, the fast-paced "Sicily" is a fiery
samba that displays Corea's knack for the genre. The session closes
with the stunning "Cappucino", a modern bebop tune that could only have
been performed by this sensational group of FRIENDS.
Although this set contains eight lesser-known Chick Corea compositions,
it is in reality a fine blowing date. Corea, on both acoustic and
electric pianos, is joined by his old friend Joe Farrell on reeds,
bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Steve Gadd for some fine straightahead
jazz.