Circle: Paris Concert

Paris-Concert is perhaps the finest of the three albums produced by the group before Corea's departure for more 'accessible' persuits, namely his fusion group Return to Forever. The first disc of this two CD release starts with the fine Wayne Shorter composition "Nefertiti" on which Corea plays a nice lyrical introduction before Braxton and the boys enter and push things in a more frenetic direction. Disc one also has the group breaking down for some solo and duet work; Holland takes some time alone on his tune, "Song for the Newborn," and Corea and Braxton pair up on "Duet." Disc two showcases some fine interplay on the playful Holland composition "Toy Room - Q & A," and perhaps the album's highlight, the reinterpretation of the timeless standard "There is no Greater Love". The latter track demonstrates the bands uncanny ability to stretch from the lyrical to the musical equivalent of a mugging and back again, like they're throwing some collective light switch.

The music on this album, as well as on the two other albums Circle released, Early Circle and A.R.C., represents, to this listener anyway, some of the finest collective small group improvisation ever recorded. To fully enjoy this music one must forget any preconceptions regarding Corea, as this work differs greatly from most of his better known output. This album deserves repeated and close listening, as the musical cleverness and subtleties of the participants are not neccessarily revealed through casual listening.