“Native Dancer” – Wayne Shorter (ts, ss, p); Herbie Hancock (p); Wagner Tiso (p, org, b); David Amaro, Jay Graydon (g); Milton Nascimento (g, voc); Dave McDaniel, Jay Graydon (b); Roberto Silva (dr); Airto Moreira, Roberto Silva (perc)

The record company Columbia must be given credit for providing Wayne Shorter with a studio and the finances to realise such an expensive and elaborate production in 1974. Whether the costs were covered by the sales is certainly a matter for conjecture. But there were, however, other super-selling pop giants on their roster in the Seventies…
For the present LP Wayne Shorter took a chance with five compositions by Milton Nascimento, wrote three pieces himself, and one was contributed by Herbie Hancock. Apart from Herbie Hancock and Airto Moreira, the musicians were relatively unknown, yet they were all capable of integrating themselves and making a personal contribution. What is truly fascinating in this music is the beauty of the themes, and the affinity to Brazilian folk music. In the liner notes, Wayne Shorter emphasizes the authenticity and the seriousness with which the studio was filled during the recording session. This is absolutely palpable and audible in every second of the music – even after almost half a century. What better reason for including “Native Dancer” in your collection, alongside “Speak No Evil” and “Supernova”. And by the way, with Wayne Shorter you can’t go wrong; you can buy his records without any ifs and buts.

Recording: 1975 at Village Recorders, Los Angeles, by Robert Fraboni
Production: Jim Price