High Life (Wayne Shorter album)

Overview

The album was the first album Wayne Shorter had recorded as a leader for seven years. It was also his recording debut for Verve Records. High Life was something of a departure from the jazz-fusion albums that Shorter had recorded in the late 1980s after leaving Weather Report. The compositions were generally seen to be more complex than his previous efforts and the use of synthesized instruments was seen to be more subtle.

The album was produced by Marcus Miller (who also played electric bass) and keyboardist Rachel Z contributed to the orchestration on the album. A thirty-piece orchestral ensemble was also used in addition to the electronic instruments. Shorter played soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones on the album. Additionally, he wrote, composed, and arranged all of the compositions featured on it.

The album was released on October 17, 1995 and the final track (Black Swan) was dedicated to the memory of Susan Portlynn Romeo. High Life won the Grammy Award for best Contemporary Jazz Album in 1997.

Track listing

1. "Children of the Night" – 7:23
2. "At the Fair" – 7:29
3. "Maya" – 5:12
4. "On the Milky Way Express" – 5:35
5. "Pandora Awakened" – 6:20
6. "Virgo Rising" – 6:46
7. "High Life" – 6:28
8. "Midnight in Carlotta's Hair" – 5:54
9. "Black Swan (In Memory of Susan Portlynn Romeo)" – 2:04

All compositions by Wayne Shorter

Personnel