Super Nova is an important transitional album for tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Doubling on soprano (which he had recently begun playing), Shorter interprets five of his originals (including "Water Babies," which had been recorded previously by Miles Davis) and Antônio Carlos Jobim's "Dindi." He definitely used a forward-looking group of sidemen, because his "backup band" includes guitarists John McLaughlin and Sonny Sharrock, Walter Booker (normally a bassist) on classical guitar for "Dindi," bassist Miroslav Vitous, both Jack DeJohnette and Chick Corea (!) on drums, and percussionist Airto; Maria Booker takes a vocal on the touching version of "Dindi." The influence of Miles Davis' early fusion period is felt throughout the music, but there is nothing derivative about the often-surprising results. As with Wayne Shorter’s best albums, this set rewards repeated listenings. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.
Blue Note Records, CDP 7
84332 2, 1988
Recorded 29th August and 2nd
September, 1969 at A&R Studios, New York
Musicians:
Wayne Shorter - Soprano
Saxophone
Chick Corea - Vibraphone,
Drums
John McLaughlin - Guitar,
Classical Guitar (#2)
Sonny Sharrock - Guitar
Walter Booker - Classical
Guitar (#3)
Miroslav Vitous - Bass
Jack DeJohnette - Drums,
African Thumb Piano
Airto Moreira - Percussion
Maria Booker - Vocals (#3)
Tracks:
1. Super Nova {Wayne Shorter}
(4:52)
2. Swee-Pea {Wayne Shorter}
(4:37)
3. Dindi {Antônio Carlos
Jobim} (9:35)
4. Water Babies {Wayne
Shorter} (4:54)
5. Capricorn {Wayne Shorter}
(7:48)
6. More Than Human {Wayne
Shorter} (6:12)
Total Time: 37:59
Credits:
Producer - Duke Pearson
Recording Engineer - Tony May
Digital Transfer - Ron
McMaster
Art Direction - Frank Gauna
Cover Design - Tony DeStefano
Wayne Shorter (25th
August, 1933 - 2nd March, 2023)
RIP ☹
