The Word Is Out
This sequel to the 2003 tributeWord of Mouth Revisitedshowcases the compositions and arrangements of the legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius.  It features Pastorius-influenced bassists, including Victor Wooten, Mark Egan, Gerald Veasley, and Marcus Miller, with a number of Pastorius' ex-sidemen, from trumpeters Randy Brecker and steel drummer Othello Molineaux to drummer Peter Erskine. Peter Graves--a bandmate of the flashy bassist when they both lived in Florida--leads this big band and sticks close to Pastorius' original conceptions, as evidenced by the Latin-tinged "Las Olas," guest-starring the Cuban bass giant Israel "Cachao"  Lopez. The  stirring rendition of "Kuru/Speak Like a Child" is propelled by Jimmy Haslip's bullet-like basslines, while Richard Bona's African-born, low-end frequencies are heard on the Beatles' chestnut "Blackbird." The anthemic closer "Reza" includes a sizzling Pastorius-sampled solo. Despite his "Hendrixian" life and tragic death, this CD focuses on the truly enduring gifts of this fallen star.--Eugene Holley, Jr.