Joe Zawinul & Zawinul Syndicate - Vienna Nights (2004)

Front Cover	Album Info
	Artist/Composer Joe Zawinul & Zawinul Syndicate Title Vienna Nights Length 98:42 Discs: 2 Tracks: 16 Format HQ 192+ kbps Packaging Jewel Case Label Bhm Productions Cat. Number 94001 Style Modern Jazz Rating Recorded live 2004  in  Birdland Club, Vienna

Musicians	Credits
Amit Chatterjee vocals, guitar Manolo Badrena vocals, percussion Sabine Kabongo vocals, percussion Arto Tuncboyaciyan vocals, percussion Alegre Correa guitar Joe Zawinul keyboards, vocals Linley Marthe bass Nathaniel Townsley drums	Producer Joe Zawinul Producer Ivan Zawinul Mastering Stephen Marcussen Mixing Paul Erickson

Track list

Vienna Nights - Disc 1 51:50 01 Y'elena 05:33 02 Two Lines 05:06 03 Do You Want Some Tea, Grandpa 07:42 04 Chabiba 06:41 05 Blue Sound/ Note 3 05:32 06 Rooftops Of Vienne 07:01 07 Louange 05:17 08 East 12th Street Band 08:58 Vienna Nights - Disc 2 46:52 01 Cafe Andalusia 09:16 02 Borges Buenos Aires 09:57 03 Tower Of Silence 06:47 04 Intro To A Mighty Theme 01:52 05 Come Sunday 06:43 06 Three Postcards 03:00 07 Badia 04:54 08 Boogie Woogie Waltz 04:23

Notes

AMG Review by Jonathan Widran (3 1/2): Considering the stunning array of jazz fusion talent that legendary composer and keyboardist Joe Zawinal has employed as leader of the pioneering Weather Report and his ever-evolving Zawinal Syndicate, our expectations should be raised when he says of his current multi-national lineup, "It's the best band I've ever had." Recorded at his Birdland Club in his hometown of Vienna over two engagements in 2003, this explosive, multi-faceted disc is a wonderful showcase for the largely African-leaning sounds of the current Syndicate. The most fascinating aspect of Zawinal over his decades in the spotlight has been his desire to play it cool in the shadows as he showcases brilliant young talent; he does this immediately here, as African vocal pop star Salif Keita shines on the rumbling, heavy grooving "Y'elena" (which Zawinal originally produced in 1991) and which features an irrepressible groove by drummer Nathaniel Townsley and Linley Marthe, a native of Mauritius who is the latest of the leader's post-Jaco Pastorius bass discoveries. The African express continues on the bubbly "Two Lines," which blends the exotic drumming of Algerian native Karim Ziad and frenetic soloing by the familiar electric guitar genius Scott Henderson. The joyful moodswinging spirit of the rest of the set is summed up in wacky, locomotive jams like "Rooftops of Vienna" contrasted by more mystical, rhythmically varied excursions like "Do You Want Some Tea, Grandpa?" and "Café Andalusia." Zawinal eventually takes more of a spotlight on the Argentine-flavored "Borges Buenos Aires," and pays homage to his jazz roots on a dreamy, impressionistic Ellington classic, "Come Sunday." Zawinal fans will eat this dual set up instantly, but lovers of fusion and world music will come around quickly thereafter.