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.