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  | BRECKER BROTHERS ~ THE COMPLETE ARISTA ALBUMS COLLECTION
SONY 886979796225 (Barcode: 886979796225) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 2012
Brothers Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist (trumpet / flugelhorn) and Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist (saxophone) are collectively and individually symbols of the American Jazz, Fusion and Funk scenes. They can be credited as co-inventors and pioneers of the American Jazz-Rock Fusion in the late 1960s and early 1970s (DreamsFind albums by this artist, Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist), especially as defining the Brass-Rock movement. By the mid-1970s they founded one of the most iconic and influential ensembles, calling it simply Brecker BrothersFind albums by this artist (or Brecker Bros.Find albums by this artist), which added Funk to the already well defined Fusion genre, creating a unique voice of unparalleled sophistication, feel and vitality, which had little, if any competition.
The Brecker Brothers band existed originally for about six years, recording six marvelous albums between 1975 and 1980 (a reunion band recorded two more albums in early 1990s) The lineup changed over time and in retrospect included the absolute cream of the crop of American Fusion and Funk musicians active at the time: saxophonist David SanbornFind albums by this artist, guitarists Bob MannFind albums by this artist, Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, Barry FinnertyFind albums by this artist and others, keyboardists Don GrolnickFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist and others, bassists Will LeeFind albums by this artist, Neil JasonFind albums by this artist and Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, drummers Harvey MasonFind albums by this artist, Christopher ParkerFind albums by this artist, Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist, Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and others. These names really tell the story, and the collective talents combined with the extraordinary compositions by Randy and Michael and the intricate arrangements created some of the unforgettable music, which still sounds as goof today as it did at the time it was recorded.
This Box Set collects all the original six albums, released on the Arista label, and adds a couple of little known albums recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1978, originally called "Blue MontreuxFind albums with this title" and "Blue Montreux IIFind albums with this title", which find Randy and Michael in the company of other Jazz luminaries: pianist Warren BernhardtFind albums by this artist, guitarists Steve Khan and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Mike MainieriFind albums by this artist, bassists Tony LevinFind albums by this artist and Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve JordanFind albums by this artist, performing some Brecker Brothers material and other original compositions, all perfectly executed.
With Michael´s tragic death in 2007, hearing the Brecker Brothers again is no longer possible, so this Box Set is a great tribute to a closed chapter in the history of American music, which should be remembered, as it is timeless and essential. Changing fads and fashions slide away, leaving the solid gold shining…
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 8 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | DR. JOHN ~ IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD
MUSIC ON CD 13505 (Barcode: 8718627225905) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion
Recorded: 1989 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the 12th studio album by iconic American singer / keyboardist / songwriter / bandleader Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Mac RebennackFind albums by this artist), recorded with an impressive cast of American Jazz musicians, including bassist Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Hugh McCrackenFind albums by this artist, drummer Harvey MasonFind albums by this artist and others, and string and brass sections. The horn and string arrangements were done by the legendary Marty PaichFind albums by this artist and the album was produced by no less legendary producer Tommy LiPumaFind albums by this artist. As the album’s title suggests, it presents nine popular love songs, most of which are Jazz standards.
Dr. John is undoubtedly a superb interpreter of Jazz (and Pop) standards. His beautiful throaty voice, keyboards playing and highly aesthetic approach are absolutely perfect and his affinity to Jazz results in creating superb cross-genre albums, like this one. He has very few competitors in this particular niche, which he repeatedly proved over the years.
Overall, this is a little hidden gem of American music, which deserves to be remembered and a lot can be learned from it about how to combine cross-genre musical sources to create a perfect amalgam, which is simply everlasting. Vocal Jazz enthusiasts should love this album to bits!
| | Updated: 20/10/2023Posted: 20/10/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN KLEMMER ~ HUSH
WOUNDED BIRD 0527 (Barcode: 664140052727) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1981 Released: 2008
Brilliant American saxophonist John KlemmerFind albums by this artist is one of the most versatile and talented Jazz players in the last few decades. His initial influence was the saxophone legacy of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and to this date he is one of the best post-Coltrane players around, but his career found him playing in many different settings ranging from Free-Jazz to Smooth-Jazz. However, regardless of the musical environment, Klemmer´s saxophone playing is always beyond reproach and his improvisational skills are breathtaking, as is his amazing tone on tenor saxophone and the echoplex electric saxophone, which he introduced into Jazz. He is also a brilliant composer and his lyrical melodies are among the finest out there. This was Klemmer´s 2nd album for the Elektra label and it comprises of his original compositions, played by a wonderful ensemble, which includes keyboardist Russell FerranteFind albums by this artist, guitarists Larry CarltonFind albums by this artist and Lee RitenourFind albums by this artist, bassist Abe LaborielFind albums by this artist, drummer Harvey MasonFind albums by this artist and many more great players. Klemmer´s playing is inspired and wonderfully romantic and the album is superbly produced. Recommended to listeners, who enjoy good melodic Jazz, which does not compromise the music quality and does not cross over to elevator music.
Visitors' Comments
Christopher Brice
I thought that I remembered enjoying this album 20+ years ago, and the first track matched my memory (and Adam´s praise) but I have to say that when the vocals came in (and there are quite a few vocal tracks in different styles) that they seemed to me pretty cheesey and put the CD firmly on my list labelled "how do I get rid of these discs that I will never listen to again?"
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SINGERS UNLIMITED ~ A SPECIAL BLEND
MPS 042284141222 (Barcode: 042284141222) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1975 Released: 1984
This is a reissue of the 8th album by American vocal quartet The Singers UnlimitedFind albums by this artist, led by vocalist / composer / arranger Gene PuerlingFind albums by this artist, which included also Don SheltonFind albums by this artist, Len DresslarFind albums by this artist and Bonnie HermanFind albums by this artist. They perform nine carefully selected Pop songs and Jazz standards, brilliantly arranged by Puerling, and they are accompanied by some great American Jazz instrumentalists: pianist Clare FisherFind albums by this artist, flautist / clarinetist Don Shelton, bassist Jim HughartFind albums by this artist, drummers John GuerinFind albums by this artist or Harvey MasonFind albums by this artist, guitarists Dennis BudimirFind albums by this artist or John MorrellFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Chuck FindleyFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Gary FosterFind albums by this artist, Peter ChristliebFind albums by this artist and Bill PerkinsFind albums by this artist and vibraphonist Victor FeldmanFind albums by this artist.
Although not a strictly a Jazz album per se, it demonstrates the exquisite vocal harmonies used also by Jazz singers and the Jazzy "nature" of Puerling´s arrangements, which influenced generations of American singers of all genres.He was an absolute maverick of the vocal quartet and a great pioneer of that idiom.
These vocal performances are breathtaking and timeless. Such perfection and harmony, although tried by many, has been rarely achieved by other vocal quartets and this album is an absolute classic of the genre.
It is great to hear this timeless classic and anybody who loves the angelic harmony of the human voice must have a copy of this album in their collection!
Side Note
The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet.
In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker.
Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace.
In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically.
Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.
| | Updated: 10/02/2025Posted: 10/02/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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