AMG Review of This Is Jazz, Vol. 40: The Jaco Years

John Bush
All Music Guide

The second volume in Columbia's This Is Jazz series to focus on Weather Report narrows the scope to the five-year period Jaco Pastorius spent on bass. His virtuoso playing and gigantic personality gave him a reputation rarely equaled in jazz, and this collection features all of his best moments with the band. It includes each of the six compositions Pastorius contributed to the band, plus his incredible solo workout "Slang" and high-profile roles on three other tracks written by Joe Zawinul or Wayne Shorter. It's a good complement to his solo albums, though it's difficult to envision too many Jaco Pastorius fans who don't have this material yet.