About

Jaco Pastorius was widely acknowledged for his skills as an electric bass player. He died in 1987 at age 35 following a violent incident at a Fort Lauderdale bar.

This self-titled album was Pastorius' solo debut and was originally released in 1976. Besides Jaco, musicians like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Sam & Dave can be heard on the album. By 1976, soul singers Sam & Dave were not on speaking terms, and Jaco devised a clever trick to get them both in the studio. The result ("Come On, Come Over") is the funkiest song that Sam & Dave have ever recorded. The bass playing is out of this world and a good showcase of how skilful and talented Jaco was. The fact that he was only 24 years old when he recorded this album makes it even more impressive.

American jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius recorded several albums with the influential band Weather Report and several solo albums. He has been lauded as one of the best electric bassists of all time. — (via Label)

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The mood is set with “Donna Lee,” an excellent rendition of the Miles Davis tune, which is followed by “Come On, Come Over,” featuring Overtown’s own Sam and Dave, who briefly reunited for this recording. The opening third is closed with “Continuum,” carrying some of the most memorable basslines ever. It’s the middle of the album, though, that’s truly Pastorius’ playground, with compositions like “Kuru/Speak Like a Child” and “Opus Pocus.”

Closing out this delicious slab of jazz is the triad of “Okonkole Y Trompa,” “(Used to Be A) Cha-Cha” and “Forgotten Love.” They’re all evocative pieces which, again, show Jaco’s mastery in creating a musical environment in which his instrument could really float. At the same time, all instrument parts work in and of themselves, while still agreeing with the bass. That’s a feat, if you think of the natural inclination of the rhythm section to lay ground-based direction. This is an excellent debut album by any standards and a great testament to a musician whose life was cut tragically short. — (via Miami New Times)

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- Music on Vinyl reissue
- 180g Pressing on black vinyl

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 Donna Lee
A2 Come On, Come Over
A3 Continuum
A4 Kuru/Speak Like A Child
A5 Portrait Of Tracy
B1 Opus Pocus
B2 Okonkole Y Trompa
B3 (Used To Be A) Cha-Cha
B4 Forgotten Love

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Label: Epic // Music On Vinyl
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, 180 Gram
Reissued: 2010 / Originally Released: 1976
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Fusion, Jazz-Funk

File under: Soul-Jazz / Jazz-Funk
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