Weather Report's ever-changing lineup shifts again, with the somewhat heavier funk-oriented
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler dropping into the drummer's chair and
Alyrio Lima taking over the percussion table. As a result,
Tale Spinnin' has a weightier feel than
Mysterious Traveller, while continuing the latter's explorations in Latin-spiced electric jazz/funk.
Zawinul's pioneering interest in what we now call world music is more in evidence with the African percussion, wordless vocals, and sandy sound effects of "Badia," and his synthesizer sophistication is growing along with the available technology.
Wayne Shorter's work on soprano sax is more animated than on the previous two albums and
Alphonso Johnson puts his melodic bass more to the fore. While not quite as inventive as its two predecessors, this remains an absorbing extension of
WR's mid-'70s direction. ~ Richard S. Ginell