Well-rounded, world-music Jaco
Jaco opens his self-titled disc with a shot across the bow of all bassists and bass fans. His "Donna Lee" (with Don Alias on percussion) solo is the most famous song on this disc. The soul vocal song "Come On, Come Over", seems out of place on this disc. It's fine, but doesn't really fit in. "Continuum" is a bass-led ballad showing off Jaco's tone and command of the fretless bass. "Kuru/Speak Like A Child" is an upbeat song with good solos, particularily Herbie Hancock. The problem with this disc is that the lineup changes from song to song, so it's hard to keep track of who the soloist is on any track. Still, Jaco got some topnotch players. "Portrait Of Tracy" is another bass-led ballad, this time showing off Jaco's harmonics. "Opus Pocus" is slower-paced and the steel drums give it some world flavor. "Okonkole y Trompa" sounds very Joe Zawinul-ish, it has running-in-place rhythm with a slow melody line. "Cha-Cha" is fast-paced jam. "Forgotten Love" is strings-based and has Jaco on piano.

This is a very appealing album, with some very good songs. What takes the star away is its disjointed feel - it doesn't feel all of a piece. I prefer it to "Word Of Mouth", which is more consistant, but it isn't as good. Bass fans will love it, but this appeals to all jazz fans.

THIS CD NOW SUPERCEDED BY 2007 JAPAN DSD REMASTER

In May of 2007, a new DSD remastered Japan mini-sleeve edition of this fabulous album was released (also incorporating something called HQD "High Quality Disc", "silver vapor manufacturing", whatever THAT means).

The new DSD edition supplants this 2000 remaster as the best audio version currently available.

Curiously, however, Sony Japan chose not to include the bonus tracks, nor the great booklet, of the 2000 edition.

However, the audio is a notch above the 2000 remaster. So, if you're looking for the best sounding version of this album, the new 2007 remaster is the way to go.

Link to the 2007 DSD remaster of Jaco Pastorius

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 13.5MM X 13.5MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.

The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector!

Fretless Bass Master
Finally, the master's first solo album on cd. Fantastic stuff from someone who left us way too early in his life. My favorite Portrait of Tracy, displays Jaco's amazing ability to use harmonics musically. Highly recomended to all bass players just starting out and even those that have been playing for years. Enjoy

Jaco y Kuato
a great man named Kuato once said: "Open your mind". This Album will do just that, especially for bass players. This remains one of my personal favorites. Please disregard any preconcieved notions you may have about Jaco and listen to the music, its solid. Buy this album and Bright Size Life, JACO LIVES!!!

Must have!
I wasn't sure at first, but after listening a dozen times, there's more subtle detail than I realized at first, both from Jaco himself and the collection of phenomenal musicians he got to collaborate with him. The bonus tracks are really great too - not just some "junk" they added to make it look good.

It's rare to find a CD with this much musical sense, and you can "hear" the musicians listening to one another and framing each other.

One of the best CDs I own.