DEODATO — Prelude (review)

DEODATO — Prelude album cover Album · 1973 · Pop/Art Song/Folk Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
Once again CTI and Van Gelder combine for what was, by now, bit of a tried and true method of releasing successful jazz records, and records that were getting smoother and smoother.

But the warm sonics and classical-meets-jazz arrangement of mid-tempo pieces with laid back grooves works perfectly for Deodato, whose electric piano, skillful arrangements and bossa nova past are employed to fine effect here in 'Prelude' his first US album as leader.

The Latin Jazz feel to the pieces works a treat too, equally pleasant across his three originals and the reinterpretations that are as much a hallmark of CTI as they are a testament to Deodato's savvy arrangements. There's no denying that the pop sensibilities are part of the album's joy. It isn't a noodly record. It's relaxed - it summons up impressions of lying back in the sun, cool drinks clinking with ice, or cruising down sweltering streets with the windows down.

Ron Carter and Billy Cobham (among others) provide the perfect accompaniment to Deodato's breezy horn and string arrangements and occasional guitar or piano solos. In fact, nowhere is this combination more lush than on 'Spirit of Summer' and nowhere is it more successful than on his reworking of the 2001 theme 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' a 9 minute funk odyssey and international hit. Elsewhere, we have another classical adaptation, in 'Prelude To "The Afternoon Of A Faun"' which despite a nice solo from flautist Laws, is not as effective and gets a little lost toward the middle. Much more expressive is 'Baubles, Bangles And Beads' with its fuzzy solos from John Tropea's electric guitar or the strutting 'September 13' co-written by Cobham.

If you are turned off by Pop Jazz or the smoother side of Latin Jazz, then you won't enjoy this. If, on the other hand, you're content to take a break and let yourself be swept along, then you should buy this one from Deodato. 'Prelude' serves as an excellent introduction to his work for CTI, representing quite a peak.
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