Weather Report cover

Weather Report

Weather Report · 1982

42 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of intricate rhythms and melodies that intertwine jazz, funk, and avant-garde influences.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Volcano for Hire — This track opens the album with dynamic energy, featuring intricate bass lines and spontaneous improvisation that exemplify the group's signature style.
  • →
    Current Affairs — A standout track highlighting the band's ability to merge complex rhythms with melodic accessibility, showcasing their prowess in blending jazz and funk elements.
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    N.Y.C.: Part Two: The Dance — This piece captures the essence of urban life through its pulsating groove and rich instrumentation, making it a quintessential example of their jazz fusion approach.
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    Speechless — An evocative track that relies heavily on atmosphere and texture, illustrating the band’s capacity for creating emotional depth without lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
75 /100
Alpine
Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate compositions and seamless transitions highlight its innovative approach to jazz.

What we noticed

  • The album features a seamless flow between tracks, with transitions that often blend one piece into the next without pause.
  • The use of various instruments creates a rich sonic landscape, with layers of melodies that evolve throughout each piece.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
9/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration of themes
  • wave-like pacing with surprises
  • intricate melodies for detail seekers
  • engaging rhythms for active listening

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Beloved by dedicated fans for its innovative sound and integration of genres.
Career context
Released in early 1982, Weather Report marked the band's eleventh album and came at a time when they were enjoying significant commercial success. Following their critically acclaimed album 'Heavy Weather', this release showcased their continued evolution in jazz fusion while experimenting with more complex structures and textures.
Stylistic neighbors
Miles Davis· Herbie Hancock· Chick Corea

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Volcano for Hire 5:26
  • 2 Current Affairs 5:55
  • 3 N.Y.C.: Part One: 41st Parallel 3:22
  • 4 N.Y.C.: Part Two: The Dance 3:12
  • 5 N.Y.C.: Part Three: Crazy About Jazz 3:36
  • 6 Dara Factor One 5:27
  • 7 When It Was Now 4:47
  • 8 Speechless 5:58
  • 9 Dara Factor Two 4:28

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata