Weather Report (1971–86), co-founded by Wayne ShorterWayne Shorterウェイン・ショーター, released over fifteen albums. Heavy WeatherHeavy WeatherWeather Report · 1977 (1977), made after Jaco PastoriusJaco Pastoriusジャコ・パストリアス joined, became their commercial pinnacle — its "Birdland" gave jazz-fusion mainstream traction.
Heavy WeatherHeavy WeatherWeather Report · 1977 (1977) shifted Weather Report's center of gravity after Jaco PastoriusJaco Pastoriusジャコ・パストリアス joined. What anchors Joe ZawinulJoe Zawinulジョー・ザヴィヌル's Birdland is not a bass ostinato but a singing harmonic line.
Alex AcuñaAlex Acuñaアレックス・アクーニャ played drums on Weather Report's 1977 Heavy WeatherHeavy WeatherWeather Report · 1977, recording Birdland alongside Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius and Manolo Badrena. The album became the first jazz-fusion record to sell a million copies.
