Written by “Standard Deviations” is a 2-volume collection of the greatest Jazz Standards of all time… reimagined. Tunes deviate into one another, styles deviate into related genres and arrangements deviate from the standard originals. Contemporary jazz musicians bind together blues, funk, fusion, progressive rock, new age, post-bop and smooth jazz, depending on the arrangement. 33 classics arranged into 24 tracks over 2 CDs.
Combining Weather Report’s iconic masterpiece “Birdland” with Yes’ progressive rock classic “Long Distance Runaround” results in a jazz-fusion tour de force. True to the album’s name, “Standard Deviations”, the players deviate between tunes creating something more than a medley: a new prog-fusion hybrid. The energy builds to a manic piano solo in the middle in which Mueller weaves together Yes’ motif within the driving force, folding it into the “Birdland” rhythmic bed so effortlessly a listener might not even notice the synthesis. After the piece cools down into a modal oasis of chord substitutions, Moore’s drumming and hadn’t percussion work propels the work into a surprising powerful ending. The track runs 6:00 but the journey is well worth the effort. Each spin and turn opens the door to a new interpretive wrinkle that is sure to delight.
Musicians: Tobin Mueller (pianos, synths, Trilogy bass, extra percussion); Woody Mankowski (saxes); Lamar A. Moore (drums, percussion). Produced by Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studio.
The video also includes some fun photos from the Weather Report archives, especially composer Joe Zawinul.
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Last modified: October 10, 2018
