Phantom Navigator

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Phantom Navigator is a jazz album by American saxophonist Wayne Shorter, released in 1987 on Columbia Records. It was recorded in 1986 at the Mad Hatter studio in Los Angeles and at The Power Station in New York. The album runs 38 minutes and 25 seconds. Wayne Shorter produced the record, and all compositions are by Shorter. Chick Corea plays piano on the track “Mahogany Bird.”

Critical reception was mixed. The Windsor Star said the tunes feel superficial and that the album emphasizes soprano sax amid heavy keyboards, electric bass, and drum machines. The Los Angeles Times felt the creativity didn’t fully reflect Shorter’s talents. The Philadelphia Inquirer called it disappointing fluff. AllMusic noted that Shorter’s playing is technically solid, but one track features a mechanical-sounding lyricon, and suggested passing on the album.