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Review 1
The All Seeing Eye was released as Wayne Shorter's fourth Blue Note album, but it was recorded after The Soothsayer and Etcetera were already in the can. On this ambitious session, Shorter leads a septet - his largest ensemble yet - and breaks away from the straightahead, melodic approach of his previous outings. One might call The All Seeing Eye his avant-garde statement. There are well-defined thematic elements among these five pieces (presented here without alternate takes or additions), but also extended periods of heady improvisation, ranging from swing to free. Clearly, one hears a link to the open-ended methodology of the Miles Davis quintet, although Shorter coaxes from this band a raw, enigmatic sound that defies easy comparisons.
The All Seeing Eye features three holdovers from The Soothsayer session - Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter, and alto saxophonist James Spaulding. Also present are Herbie Hancock and drummer Joe Chambers, both of whom also played on Etcetera. Trombonist Grachan Moncur III rounds out the ensemble, and Alan Shorter, the leader's late older brother, makes a valuable fluegelhorn contribution on his own "Mephistopheles," the closing track. |
Players
Freddie Hubbard, G. Moncur, J. Spaulding, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, J. Chamber |
Tracks
1. The All Seeing Eye 2. Genesis 3. Chaos 4. Face Of The Deep 5. Mephistopheles |
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