Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Matte cover looks good; a few creases near edges; moderate scuffing, slight discoloration with darker discoloration spots, and surface impressions (front/back). Inner-sleeve is original (rice paper-backed poly). Spine is partly readable with wear. Shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)
Pat Metheny Group, is the debut album by the quartet featuring rhythm section Lyle Mays, Mark Egan, and Danny Gottlieb. Many elements that became defining traits of the band's overall sound were in place on this album, namely Metheny's incorporation of several different guitars and Mays's fusion of electronic and acoustic keyboards to create a fuller, more harmonically sophisticated foundation for the melodies and solos. This is notably evidenced on Phase Dance where Metheny introduces the main melody on an acoustic guitar and then switches to electric to play one of the improvisational solos, with Mays providing the foundation on keyboards before playing the other solo. Phase Dance quickly became a signature song for the Group, most often played in concert as an introductory piece. Jaco is a tribute to Jaco Pastorius, who pioneered the electric bass in jazz fusion.