Album: Atlantis

Introduction
"Atlantis" is a 1985 album by the legendary jazz saxophonist, author and bandleader Wayne Shorter. Launched on Columbia Records, this album features an array of electronic instruments, synthesizers, and advanced production methods to develop a rich, dreamy soundscape that transports listeners into a magical underwater world. As one of the most influential and ingenious jazz musicians of perpetuity, Shorter continues to press borders and defy expectations with "Atlantis".

Background and Inspiration
Wayne Shorter is best known for his work as a saxophonist and composer during the 1960s and 1970s, consisting of stints with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, as a founding member of the Miles Davis Quintet, and as a co-founder of allure combination group Weather Report in the 70s. By the 1980s, Shorter was checking out new musical territory that heavily incorporated electronic instrumentation and synthesizers, resulting in the release of "Atlantis" in 1985.

Shorter has constantly been amazed by the idea of Atlantis, the legendary lost civilization that supposedly sank beneath the ocean's surface. With this album, he aimed to produce an aural representation of the enchanting, strange, and appealing world of Atlantis. His goal was to immerse listeners in an abundant, sonic exploration that records both the daring spirit of jazz and the haunting appeal of this ancient misconception.

Music and Production
"Atlantis" features a varied range of musical styles, genres, and affects that showcase Shorter's amazing flexibility and creativity as a musician and author. The album's nine tracks include components of jazz, classical, world, and electronic music, all intertwined and layered to create a distinct, otherworldly sound.

The album's opening track, "Endangered Species", has a driving rhythmic groove and swirling synthesizers that set the tone for the album's general atmosphere. Shorter's saxophone playing is both lyrical and browsing, overlooking the rich, manufactured textures. Other standout tracks consist of "The Three Marias", "Milagro", and the album's haunting title track, "Atlantis".

Shorter collaborated with several gifted musicians and manufacturers on this album, including previous Weather Report bandmate Alphonso Johnson (bass), Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira, guitarist Frank Gambale, and keyboardist Michel Colombier.

The production on "Atlantis" shows the advanced recording innovation of the time, with substantial usage of synthesizers, samplers, and electronic instruments that give the album an unique, otherworldly noise. Additionally, the album was blended using the Sony PCM-100, a high-resolution digital audio processor for the time.

Reception and Legacy
"Atlantis" received mixed evaluations upon its release, with some critics revealing disappointment over Shorter's heavy usage of electronic instruments and the album's production aesthetic. Others, nevertheless, acknowledged the album as an enthusiastic and real exploration of the legendary underwater world and praised Shorter's daring spirit and compositional expertise.

Commercially, the album fared well, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.

In spite of the critiques, "Atlantis" stays an unique and fascinating moment in Wayne Shorter's illustrious career, and it still resonates with listeners today. The album stands as a testament to his innovative spirit and his willingness to take risks to produce something totally initial. With "Atlantis", Wayne Shorter produced not just a musical representation of the lost city however also an immersive, captivating, and classic work of art that continues to defy classification.