Jaco Pastorius: Portrait of Tracy

The brilliance of Jaco Pastorius is fully evident in this short track from his debut recording under his own name. Just an electric bass guitar and his searching virtuosity herald the arrival of a major talent. While his ability to lock into a groove and speak so independently in a rhythm section is well known, his solo turns often show a more probing and soulful side. His revolutionary use of false harmonics makes this much more than a low-end showcase as his compositional abilities really stand out. It is not a stretch to imagine this piece scored for wind ensemble, solo piano or in a cinematic context.