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Weather Report was one of the most influential jazz-fusion groups of their era and outlasted many of its contemporaries such as Herbie Hancock's Headhunters and The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Despite many personnel changes over its 16-year lifespan, they continued to create groundbreaking music under the guidance of Joe Zawinul. Mysterious Traveller is the band's fifth studio album and was their final recording with founding bassist Miroslav Vitouš, who was replaced by Alphonso Johnson. Additionally, Ishmael Wilburn joined for this album as the band's drummer.
The album is their first one that predominantly uses electric bass and incorporates uses of funk, R&B grooves, and rock. It would later on be labeled as the band's "signature" sound. The album was voted album of the year by the readers of Downbeat for 1974, garnered a five-star review and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Tracklist
SIDE A
1. NUBIAN SUNDANCE
2. AMERICAN TANGO
3. CUCUMBER SLUMBER
SIDE B
1. MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER
2. BLACKTHORN ROSE
3. SCARLET WOMAN
4. JUNGLE BOOK