(Stretch/Concord)

Chick Corea, prolific as ever, remains one of jazz’s modern master craftsmen. His latest handiwork is The Vigil, a production which sees him working with a team of mostly younger musicians and a new palette of sounds. The music on this recording is all-new with Corea playing piano, Rhodes synth and other wonderful toys. It’s Corea at his magical best. Joining him on this effort him are guitarist Charles Altura, drummer Marcus Gilmore, bassist Hadrien Feraud and saxophonist Tim Garland. Percussionist Pernell Saturnino sits in on several tracks. Corea’s wife, Gayle Moran makes an appearance on one tune, as does RTF band mate bassist Stanley Clarke and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane on a track recorded before a live audience. Corea’s seemingly boundless energy is put to great use on this project, as he composed all of the tracks, which are outstanding. This effort further make the case that any and every opportunity to check out Corea’s deft artistry should be experienced.