Some jazz purists would say that
Wayne Shorter went downhill in the 1970s, when he passionately embraced electric jazz-fusion and co-led the innovative
Weather Report with
Joe Zawinul. But remember: Those are the same people who also claim that
Miles Davis' stunning
Bitches Brew has no value, and that
Chick Corea's visionary
Return to Forever was a complete waste -- so it's hard to take their opinions seriously. The fact is that the '70s were a highly productive time for
Shorter, and it wasn't until the '80s that the tenor and soprano saxophonist really declined creatively. One of
Shorter's best-selling albums from the '70s was
Native Dancer, a Brazilian-oriented jazz-fusion masterpiece that boasts
Herbie Hancock on acoustic piano and electric keyboards, and employs such Brazilian talent as singer
Milton Nascimento (a superstar in Brazil) and percussionist
Airto Moreira. Everything on this melodic, consistently lyrical effort is a jewel, and that includes
Hancock's "Joanna's Theme," as well as pieces by
Nascimento ("From the Lonely Afternoons" and "Ponta de Areia") and by Shorter himself ("Ana Maria," "Beauty and the Beast" ).
Native Dancer is clearly among
Shorter's most essential albums. ~ Alex Henderson