Ultimate Adventure: Live In Barcelona

12-time Grammy winner and jazz keyboard wizard back at the top of his game.

Even jazz giants have off days and Chick Corea has, in the past, been no exception. However, this new recording is vintage Corea and undoubtedly hails a triumphant return to form for one of the greatest living jazz pianists/composers. Throughout, Corea revisits the kind of Latin/flamenco flavours integral to his classic 1970s acoustic Return to Forever band and the album My Spanish Heart.

His Spanish quartet Touchstone contains ex-members of the flamenco guitarist Paco De Lucia's band, with an especially striking contribution from flautist Jorge Pardo. Corea is also exceptional on Fender Rhodes keys and, along with guests including alumni Steve Gadd and Airto Moreira, the band blend pulsating Latin/North African-derived rhythms with exotically sinuous melodies. What's more, there's a distinct cutting edge that's been a signature of Corea's music ever since his contribution to the seminal Miles Davis' Bitches Brew.