Album Cover Photo courtesy of Candid Records
It was in the mid-1980s when a friend of mine named Tom invited me over to his house to hear his new Onkyo Stereo system with a brand new CD player. I had never heard what a CD sounded like before. He sat me in the middle of the couch and hit play on the CD player. Instantly, I felt like the character in the old Memorex commercials. My hair blew back as adrenalin began rushing through my body. I had never heard a sound like what I was hearing at that moment. I have two very distinctive memories of that moment that I have never forgotten. The first was the sound quality of the CD. It sounded like the drummer’s bass drum was in the room with me. In fact, it sounded like the entire band was playing in the living room. It was like being in the front row of the Blue Note Cafe, listening to a live band.
The second and even more important memory was that of the music itself. I was knocked out by the musicianship. I had never heard anyone play drums, bass, guitar, or keyboards like the musicians I was listening to on that CD. I asked my friend to tell me the name of the group. He responded that it was Chick Corea’s new group called the Chick Corea Elektric Band, and the song was called “Rumble.”
From that point on, I became a huge fan of the Chick Corea Elektric Band. Every time the group released a new album, it was like Christmas morning. I had heard of Chick Corea before and had some Return To Forever albums in my collection. Yet the Chick Corea Elektric Band spoke to me differently. This group would turn on a lot of rock fans to fusion who were too young to embrace the ’60s and ’70s jazz fusion movements. Chick Corea’s Elektric Band was the group that helped bring new fans to the jazz world. The group also fueled a new movement in Jazz fusion in the 80s that has continued to this day.
It has been a long time since fans of the Chick Corea Elektric Band celebrated the release of a new Chick Corea Elektric Band album. However, the celebration will soon begin once again as Candid Records plans to release the first new Chick Corea Elektric Band album since To the Stars was released in 2004. (The Live In Toyko 2017 release was just a reissue of the second CD on GRP Live in Concert issued in 1988.)
The new Chick Corea Elektric Band album entitled The Future Is Now, will be released on November 3rd, 2024. This brand-new release is a Two CD set in a triple gatefold package. It is simply stunning. It’s a great reminder of how special the CD format has always been. The package also comes complete with a multi-page booklet that details the history of the Chick Corea Elektric Band. Each member of the band chimes in with their own memories of their introduction to the band. There are also details about each song that is included on the album. These are notes written by Chick Corea that are simply fascinating to read. I love when record companies release deluxe booklets with a CD release. This one is a real winner.
Chick Corea passed away in 2021. Up to the point of his passing, he had been working on the release of this new album. The Future Is Now is a 2 CD Live album fueled by nine tracks across both CDs or three vinyl LPs. All the songs on this 2 CD or 3 LP set were performed live not too long ago. The performances took place at various locations, such as Catalina’s in Los Angeles in 2016, Blue Note New York in October of 2016, Blue Note Tokyo in March of 2017, Sonoma California in August of 2017 and Catalina’s Los Angeles in May of 2018. Of course, it being a Chick Corea Elektric Band album, these live performances are very much extended versions of the studio releases that were found on various Chick Corea Elektric Band albums.
Here at ClassicRockHistory.com, we were lucky to get our hands on a release of the two CD set before it has been released to the public. Like many years ago, when I first heard the Chick Corea Elektric Band for the first time, I was simply blown away again. The sound quality on this 2 CD set is phenomenal. It opens up with the track “Charged Particles,” which was originally released on the Beneath The Mask album. The tempo is slightly faster than it was on the studio version, and the band just smokes like they always did every time I saw them play live. This is a true Christmas gift for fans.
Photo Courtesy of Candid Records
With age also comes musical growth. Many musicians get better as they age. Of course, it may be hard to fathom that this incredible group of musicians could get better, but listening through this live album, it’s amazing how each one of these individual musicians, from Chick Corea to John Patitucci to Frank Gambale to Eric Marienthal and, of course, Dave Weckl has continued to grow musically. The group has never sounded better. The double CD closes with a phenomenal almost twenty version of “Got A Match,” originally released on the band’s debut album in 1986. Chick Corea still made use of his pitch bend during his solos, which helped him create such an original sound. Chick Corea was a musician who, despite his virtuoso acoustic piano skills, embraced technology early on. He was a trendsetter in the way his former band leader Miles Davis was. This 2 CD or three-LP set is a clear reminder of his talents, his visions, and his ability to work with the finest musicians on the planet, making them even better as a group. That was the Chick Corea Elektric Band.
You can pre-order the new album and all other Chick Corea Elektric Band albums and releases on the link below. Candid Records has done a great job with the quality of this release. They had to… it’s Chick Corea
The Future Is Now Purchase Link
Photo Courtesy of Candid Records
The Chick Corea Elektric Band The Future Is Now’ Album Review article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
