Founding members Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, and Miroslav Vitous, young
jazz vets who had worked on some innovative late-60's recordings. CBS signed them up quickly, in hopes of capitalizing on the "electric jazz" vibe of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew-era successes. At first it was exciting
uncharted territory; by the time Jaco Pastorius signed on, it had become
dull, leavened by Joe's newest synthesizer or Jaco's virtuosity - an
intelligent pop band, little more.