Five Peace Band Live

A good fourty years ago two incredible musicians from opposite sides of the pond called the Atlantic, met in a studio to record the groundbreaking Miles Davis album “In a Silent Way”. Amongst other things including their love for Jazz and their ability to play it, the boys shared a mutual admiration for each other’s talents. As time passed the young guns soon became some of the most sort after and influential artists of theirs or any era, but during this period the two never had the opportunity to team up long enough to work on something substantial enough. This changed in the summer of 2008, when the two masters Chick Corea and John McLaughlin got together to form a five piece group dubbed the Five Peace Band, to play on stages all over Europe and North America. ‘Five Peace Band Live’ is a live album, capturing the band in the midst of its long tour schedule.

Considering the sheer number of tracks that the two musicians have played over their careers, short-listing a few to appear on album would definitely by a tremendous task. The album lists a couple of Chick Corea and McLaughlin tracks with each musician picking recent tracks. McLaughlin picks up “Raju” straight from its “Floating Point” origin and leaves it at the mercy of Kenny Garrett on the saxophone who makes it sound all so dreamy. “New blues, old bruises” another McLaughlin number which appeared on the album “Floating Point” maintains its original regal elegance. “The disguise” and “Hymn to Andromeda” bare the familiar resemblance of a Corea track, and serve as little fuss for the band.

The point where the album really becomes worth the deal is in with the band’s renditions of classic numbers. “Dr. Jackle” a Jackie McLean favourite is given a touch of classic jazz with Chick Corea on the acoustic piano and a spank of modern jazz with McLaughlin’s electric wizardry. “Senor C.S.” has its moments of a Spanish flavoured calming breeze, but it soon evolves into an upbeat track courtesy of Christian McBride’s fiery bass lines. McLaughlin in particular seems in perfect control on the track and it’s hard to catch him better on tape otherwise. A sense of nostalgia rings in when the Davis cover “In a silent way” fades in, and the album suddenly shifts gear. The slow but definite advancement of the track, growing stronger by each beat sucks the listener in at every stroke.

“Five Peace Band Live” more than anything marks the achievement and contributions of two of the most innovative musicians of all time. Two who broke through the barriers of music and merged different genres into one beautiful sound.