Chick Corea Elektric Band II’s “Paint the World” Fusion Marvel Released on Vinyl

Chick Corea’s Elektric Band II – Paint the World (Candid Records, 2024 reissue)

One of the most thrilling fusion of the early 1990s, Chick Corea’s Elektric Band II’s Paint the World, is now available on vinyl. Corea and his highly talented colleagues venture through both acoustic and electric terrain with unparalleled finesse.

Back in 1993, Chick Corea unveiled the second iteration of the Elektric Band. With a fresh lineup featuring guitarist Mike Miller, bassist Jimmy Earl, drummer Gary Novak, and saxophonist Eric Marienthal (the sole holdover from the original Elektric Band), Corea once again brilliantly pushed the boundaries of modern jazz.

Corea diligently selected material tailored to these exceptional musicians, bringing them together at Mad Hatter Studios in Los Angeles. Recorded almost entirely live in first takes, the album stands out for its “less is more” approach, highlighting Corea’s distinctive genre-bending compositions. While the focus leans more towards acoustic piano than his signature synths, the same expertise, creativity, intuitive, and flawless delivery that characterized the original Elektric Band albums remain intact.

A standout feature of this reissue is the inclusion of the track “Final Frontier,” originally available only on the Japanese and European editions. This high-energy piece is the sole track featuring Corea on synthesizer. Serving as a response to “Got A Match” from the 1986 album “The Chick Corea Elektric Band,” it offers an uptempo showcase for the musicians to truly stretch out, epitomizing the jazz fusion that Corea and his ensembles are renowned for.

This two-disc vinyl LP reissue is enriched with new, detailed liner notes by prestigious jazz writer Bill Milkowski. These notes provide context and enhance the listening experience with lush technical insights, making this reissue a must-have for jazz aficionados and collectors alike.

SIDE A

1. Paint The World
2. Blue Miles
3. Tone Poem

SIDE B

1. CTA
2. Silhouette
3. Space
4. The Ant & The Elephant

SIDE C

1. Tumba Island
2. Ritual
3. Ished

SIDE D

1. Spanish Sketch
2. Final Frontier
3. Reprise

Buy Paint the World.