Track Listing

1. Donna Lee
2. Come On Come Over
3. Continuum
4. Kuru/Speak Like A Child
5. Portrait Of Tracy
6. Opus Pocus
7. Okonkole Y Trompa
8. Used To Be A Cha-cha
9. Forgotten Love
10. Used To Be A Cha-cha (2)
11. 6/4 Jam

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13629 in Music
• Released on: 2000-08-07
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Pastorius was best known as the flamboyant bassist in Weather Report (1976-81), the man who would throw talcum powder on the stage so he could slide-shuffle on one foot while playing a driving samba riff. But as this extraordinary 1976 debut shows, he was a musical star long before international celebrity called. Though often dismissed as a fusion player, he was championing bebop ("Donna Lee") just as fusion was in its first flush of juvenile excess. He was no purist though, and one of the joys of this album is the range of music he covers, from jazz to soul to samba to afro-beat, giving it all his unmistakable signature. Virtuosity, a dirty word in some circles, was never abused in Jaco's hands. The brilliant playing on such as "Kuru" and "Portrait Of Tracy" is all in the service of musicality, and became a benchmark for a generation of bass players. --Mark Gilbert

From Amazon.com
Opening up with a defiantly eclectic one-two punch of bebop and classic soul, fretless bass guitar innovator Jaco Pastorius made it plain, for anyone who cared to listen to this self-titled 1976 debut, that he rejected all labels and aesthetic hierarchies. Bursting on the scene like a fiery comet, and departing just as quickly, Pastorius became the most influential bassist of his generation. He startled contemporary listeners, who failed to comprehend how any bassist could articulate the equestrian melodic highways and syncopated byways of "Donna Lee" with such casual abandon, let alone with that tone. Pastorius also revealed considerable gifts as a composer and arranger. On "Kuru/Speak Like a Child," his sophisticated string charts and harmonies lent gravity and motion to the supercharged rhythmic vamps. And with his poignant ballad "Portrait of Tracy," Pastorius displayed a stunning, unconventional approach to the bass guitar as a solo instrument, demonstrating a singular command of chords, glissandos, and harmonics that transcended all expectations of the capabilities of the instrument. Some 20 years later, these sounds remain fresh, vibrant and exploratory. --Chip Stern

CD Description
With one album, this self-titled first release, bass phenomenon Jaco Pastorius was catapulted into the position of the greatest electric bass player that ever lived. Officially discovered by Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer Bobby Colomby, Jaco's revolutionary use of the bass as a solo instrument made him one of the most compelling instrumentalists of the electric era. Indeed, this record marked a turning point in the history of music--from the period before Jaco Pastorius and the period since.
It is the first track, Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee", that did it all. Accompanied only by conga drums, Jaco proceeds to ferociously tear through the intricate melody and then produce several choruses of stunning solos like no one had ever heard. From machine gun-like staccato lines to deep space harmonics, his command of the instrument is frightening. Pastorius is joined by R&B heroes Sam & Dave for a rousing reading of the funky "Come On, Come Over". Also included on this treasure are cherished works like the expressive "Continuum", the poetic solo "Portrait of Tracy", and the fiery "(Used to be a) Cha-Cha". In all, more than a stunning debut, this is a testament to Pastorius' legendary greatness.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant, this remains a classic
The fact that Jaco Pastorius had the basic seeds for what was to be Continuum at the age of 18 shows what a mature composer he was. This album (made when he was 25-26) shows all the hallmarks of a great musician/composer. The most beautiful piece on the album is Portrait of Tracy, made even more amazing because most of the piece is played with harmonics. Not only does this album show unmatched technical ability but also melodic and rhythmical ideas that still amaze me today. The bonus tracks show jaco's amazing stamina as he sits back and just plays the grooves and lets other solo. Every track is a standout track and i recommend this album to anyone with a passion for music.

A unique and fabulous talent
This album demonstrates the awesome musical talent that was Jaco Pastorius. Who knows what heights he would have climbed to had he lived and what unexplored musical territories he would have boldly venured into.
The tracks on show clearly highlight his technical ability and prowess on his instrument. Each tune provides the listener with a challenging and rewarding listening experience.
As an entity the album doesn't hang together very well tho' - there are too many different ideas being explored. It seems like he had so many ideas in his head and in his youthful enthusiasm he tried to express them all in one album. In that sense it reminds me a bit of Courtney Pyne's debut album - each track a gem but overall the album lacks a common thread. Because of this uneveness it is difficult for the listener to settle into a groove or mood. Some tracks are funk based, some are very reminiscent of Weather Report, some sound like the furrow the Crusaders were ploughing in the late seventies and other tracks have strings added. It is probably the tracks with the strings that work least well. Jazz and strings is a hard trick to pull off - Charlie Parker and Clifford Brown tried it with only variable success.
Having said all of the above I still thoroughly recommend this as a worthwhile purchase and valuable addition to any jazz fan's collection.

Time to replace your vinyl
For those who have this record, this edition is an excellent excuse to get it on CD. Tracks are as wild, varying, exotic and eclectic as ever and the new sleeve notes make an interesting read. Don't get too exicited about the extra tracks however: the alternate take of 'Cha-Cha' is mildly interesting and the riff in 'jam' is brilliant but doesn't go anywhere except a furious percussion work-out. Never mind - it was a brilliant album anyway. How old was he when he did this!