Weather Report – Procession (1983), A Must Listen To By Any Jazz Fan

‘Procession’ is the eleventh studio album released by legendary American jazz fusion giants Weather Report. The album was released in February 1983 and is the first Weather Report studio release to feature sung lyrics throughout a song, more specifically on the track ‘Where The Moon Goes’ which were provided by Grammy-award winning jazz vocal group The Manhattan Transfer.

The frontal cover artwork of Weather Report’s eleventh studio album, ‘Procession’, which was released in February 1983. Image source: www.discogs.com

‘Procession’ was produced by co-frontmen Josef ‘Joe’ Erich Zawinul (keyboards) and Wayne Shorter (saxophone) and was released through Colombia Records. It has total length of 39 minutes and 36 seconds. The cover artwork for the album was provided by John Lykes whereas Bruce Talamon was in charge of photography. In terms of engineering, Neil Dorfsman, Tom Fouce, Mitch Gibson, and Tom Miller ensured the recording sessions took place well in technical regards and that each track was properly mixed and mastered.

‘Procession’ has 6 tracks as follows:

  1. Procession (the title track which was composed by Joe Zawinul)
  2. Plaza Real (composed by Wayne Shorter)
  3. Two Lines (composed by Joe Zawinul)
  4. Where the Moon Goes (composed by Joe Zawinul with lyrics and vocals provided by The Manhattan Transfer)
  5. The Well (composed by Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter)
  6. Molasses Run (composed by Omar Hakim)

The line-up of the band for the recording sessions of this album was the following one:

  • Joe Zawinul (keyboards)
  • Wayne Shorter (saxophone)
  • Omar Hakin (drums, guitar, and vocals)
  • Victor Bailey (bass guitar)
  • José Rossy (percussion and concertina)

In terms of its critical reception, the album has been met with mixed yet mostly favourably reviews by Record, Allmusic, The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide, and The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings.

Down below you can listen to the entire studio album via Youtube, track by track, courtesy of Weather Report Music:

Documentation sources and external links:

5 thoughts on “Weather Report – Procession (1983), A Must Listen To By Any Jazz Fan

  1. Mohammad Seddon says:

    I always thought that Omar Hakim’s fluid drumming style lent itself best to Weather Report. Although Peter Erskine’s contribution cannot be denied, I still think Omar just had the edge.

    1. Victor Rouă says:

      Thank you very much for your great message and readership on The Rockpedia! Indeed, very well pointed! But, in my humble opinion, Peter Erskine is the all time best Weather Report drummer! Omar’s influence and contributions later on during the 1980s cannot be denied and are amazing as well! All the best and much respect for your great musical taste and musical mentality!

  2. Mo bailey says:

    My brother played bass on this

    1. Victor Rouă says:

      Very cool! Victor Bailey was a great bassist! Very gifted and technical! Best regards and much respect from a longtime Weather Report fan!

    2. Mr Gregory Murray says:

      Your brother was a brilliant bassist. RIP Mr Bailey.

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