Zawinul's Brown Street Turn
A 2006 Zawinul record that finds the keyboardist revisiting his groove roots with a big band.
Brown Street arrived in 2006, well into Joe Zawinul's long career, and it sits as a late-career record rather than a turning point. By then Zawinul had already done his major work: the Cannonball Adderley years, the Miles Davis connection, and the fusion era with Weather Report that made his name. This album is the sound of a veteran returning to the soulful, groove-driven side of his playing, now filtered through a larger ensemble.
The personnel tells you a lot. The band carries a substantial horn section, with multiple trumpets, trombones, and reed players, along with Victor Bailey on bass guitar and drummer Nathaniel Townsley III, who keep the rhythm section solid. Zawinul's keyboard work anchors the arrangements, and the writing leans on big-band textures rather than the tight quartet interplay of his earlier fusion records. Listeners expecting the spacious, electric interplay of Weather Report will find something more orchestral and composed here.
Whether this is the right place to start with Zawinul is another matter. It is not his peak, and newcomers will get a clearer picture from his earlier recordings. For committed fans who want to hear how his melodic sense and sense of groove held up in later years, Brown Street is a worthwhile listen, if not an essential one.
Who's playing
Victor Baileybass guitar
Mattis Cederbergbass trombone, tuba
Jens Neufangbaritone saxophone, bass clarinet, bass saxophone
Paul Shigiharaguitar, solo
Paul Hellerclarinet, flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Olivier Petersclarinet, flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Karolina Strassmayeralto saxophone, clarinet, flute
Heiner Wibernyalto saxophone, clarinet, flute
Rob Bruynenflugelhorn, trumpet
Andy Hadererflugelhorn, trumpet
John Marshallflugelhorn, trumpet
Klaus Osterlohflugelhorn, trumpet
Kenny Ramptonflugelhorn, trumpet
David Horlertrombone
Bernt Laukamptrombone
Ludwig Nusstrombone
Nathaniel Townsley IIIdrums
Alex Acuñapercussion
Joe Zawinulkeyboard
Andy Harderflugelhorn
