School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Dialects

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Dialects, from 1986, is the fourth studio album by keyboardist Joe Zawinul, and it is almost a solo record. He made it himself, with programmed synthesizers and drum machines. He used vocoders on his own voice. In addition, Bobby McFerrin sang improvised vocal imitations, and a vocal trio sang in a language Zawinul had invented himself. He also did the production and design himself.

The record thus consists almost entirely of synthesizers and voices. A reviewer for Spin heard in the rhythms, harmonies and bop and funk arrangements a mixture of Prince and the young Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. AllMusic called it an important, overlooked album, because it proves that electronic instruments can move and stir listeners when someone truly masters them.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Harvest and try to hear what is a synthesizer and what is a voice. On this album that is surprisingly difficult.

Track list

  1. 1The Harvest6:03Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Waiting for the Rain7:36Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Zeebop4:51Apple Music ↗
  4. 4The Great Empire3:55Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Carnavalito6:17Apple Music ↗
  6. 66 A.M./Walking On the Nile7:05Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Peace6:47Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs