Keyboardist Joe Zawinul's Syndicate grooves on live discovery

Austrian-American keyboardist Joe Zawinul gave the electric keyboards artistic value. He made them sound 'human'. The interesting part is how he's able to imitate the human voice and primitive instruments with such credibility and personal touch. It may be because he has played many acoustic instruments, starting with the accordion shortly after World War II.

Zawinul's highest regarded band was the one with saxophone master Wayne Shorter, Weather Report. They explored the world of electric opportunities, from new latin and African based rhythms to timbres never heard before. The band featured during its fifteen years of activity and stardom many musicians, who were guests or permanent members, and every version in between. These sidemen include bassists Jaco Pastorius, Alphonso Johnson, Miroslav Vitous and Victor Bailey, drummers Alejandro Acuna, Omar Hakim and Peter Erskine, and percussionists Manolo Badrena and Mino Cinelu.

Weather Report broke apart in the mid-80s. Shorter recorded Atlantis, and Zawinul started "syndicating" with younger musicians. Good Time is a nice, although very short, live release from 1988. It demonstrates Zawinul in action and - as always - the sound is recognizable. This would not be anything remarkable as a standalone album, but as an addition to his large discography, it's an illuminating complement.