Patti Austin: The Real Me (1988)

And how! Austin tackles standards such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and succeeds brilliantly. Her version of Comden, Green, and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too" is enough by itself to make this a pick.

Personnel: Patti Austin (vocals, sound effects, background vocals); David Pack (vocals, guitar, congas, percussion, background vocals); Michael McDonald (vocals, piano, background vocals); Howard Hewett, James Ingram, Tata Vega (vocals, background vocals); David Lindley (guitar, slide guitar); Earl Klugh (guitar, classical guitar); Chuck Berghofer, Nathan Kaproff, James Getzoff, Dan Neufeld, Harris Goldman, Alan DeVeritch, Joy Lyle, Franklyn D'Antonio, Arthur Royval, Richard Elegino, Charles Veal, Vicki Sylvester, Barry Gold, Henry Ferber, Don McInnes, Hershel Wise, Sid Sharp, Harry Shlutz, Cynthia Morrow, Ray Kelley, Nils Oliver, Arnold Belnick, Jacqueline Brand, Bonnie Douglas, Arni Egilsson, Stephen Erdody, Gayle Levant, Daniel Rothmuller, Evan Wilson, Michael Markman (strings); Bruce Hornsby (accordion); John Rotella (clarinet); Dan Higgins (woodwinds, saxophone); Ernie Watts (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Greg Huckins, Michael Brecker (saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (trumpet); Bill Waltrous, Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Red Callender (tuba); David Benoit (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Richard Tee (piano, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (synthesizer, bass synthesizer); C. Roscoe Beck (upright bass); Burleigh Drummond (drums, snare drum, percussion); George Perilli (drums, percussion); John "J.R." Robinson , Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (shaker, percussion, sound effects); Luther Vandross, Amy Holland (background vocals)

Tracklist:

01. I Can Cook Too (5:14)
02. Stockholm Sweetnin' (1:37)
03. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (4:15)
04. True Love (3:49)
05. Across The Alley From The Alamo (3:47)
06. How Long Has This Been Going On (4:07)
07. Lazy Afternoon (5:46)
08. Love Letters (3:55)
09. They Can't Take That Away From Me (3:59)
10. Mood Indigo (3:26)
11. Cry Me A River (4:21)
12. Someone Is Standing Outside (3:59)
13. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (5:08)
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Patti Austin: Havana Candy (1977)

CTI was having its troubles financially at the time. They recycled arrangements for all their artists and limited their budgets. Austin sang this undistinguished material with as much conviction as she could muster, but the general pallid air lingering over the production also affected her vocals. -- AMG

Tracklist:
01. That's Enough For Me (5:50)
02. Little Baby (4:15)
03. I Just Want To Know (4:57)
04. Havana Candy (4:37)
05. Golden Oldies (4:44)
06. I Need Somebody (4:32)
07. We're In Love (4:03)
08. Lost In The Stars (5:02)
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Randy Brecker: Toe to Toe (1990)

Randy Brecker is essentially a fine hard bop trumpet soloist, but one versatile enough to fit into nearly any setting, including in the pop world, funk bands, and electronic fusion. He studied classical trumpet and attended Indiana University. Brecker was with Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1967, and spent 1968-1969 playing with Horace Silver's quintet. He also appeared with the big bands of Clark Terry, Duke Pearson, Frank Foster, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra. After playing with the early fusion group Dreams in 1969, he worked with Larry Coryell's Eleventh House and Billy Cobham, in addition to keeping very busy with studio work. He teamed up with Michael Brecker in the popular funk-oriented Brecker Brothers (1974-1979); in the '80s he often collaborated with his wife, pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias; and in the '90s he toured with the reunited Brecker Brothers. But Randy Brecker still sounds best when in a freewheeling bebop combo, and fortunately he occasionally records in that type of spontaneous setting.

Tracklist:
1.Mr. Skinny [Brecker] 5:36
2.Trading Secrets [Brecker] 5:10
3.It Creeps up on You [Brecker] 4:53
4.The Glider [Brecker] 6:04
5.Toe to Toe [Brecker] 4:54
6.It's up to You [Brecker] 5:50
7.What Is the Answer [Brecker] 4:41
8.Lost 4 Words [Brecker] 6:14
Personnel:
Victor Bailey - Bass (Electric)
Jim Beard - Arranger, Bass, Drum Machine, Drum Programming, Keyboards, Mixing, Producer
Regina Belle - Vocals (Background)
Michael Brecker - Sax (Tenor)
Randy Brecker - Arranger, Electric Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Mixing, Producer, Trumpet, Vocals
Dennis Chambers - Drums, Drums (Snare)
Dag Haeggqvist Executive Producer
Jon Herington Guitar
Bashiri Johnson - Percussion
Darryl Jones - Bass
Mark Ledford - Arranger, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Bob Mintzer - Clarinet (Bass)
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Lenny White: Renderers of Spirit (1996)

Drummer Lenny White doesn't explore much new territory on Renderers Of Spirit, which contains nothing that will make you forget that he played drums on the legendary Bitches Brew sessions for Miles Davis, or that, along with Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and Al DiMeola, he helped define 1970s jazz-fusion as Return to Forever.

But even though the compositions here survey what amounts to the by-now familiar R&B meets jazz domain, White and company make the journey enough of a comfortably swinging stroll to make it worth the trip. White's sound and plump backbeat on drums in "Ho-Cake" sound straight outta hip-hop (that is, before they dissolve in a limpid pool of what's now called "smooth jazz"), and bassist Victor Bailey bounces off the walls in his own title, "Pick Pocket."

Renderers includes contributions from fellow Miles alumni Foley and Bennie Maupin, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, and Michael Brecker (In fact, "Countdown 2000" would not sound out of place on Davis' album Tutu). It closes with a challenging jazz-funk mind-meld of Jackie McLean's "Dr. Jackyle" wih Sly Stone's "Africa Talks To You," and also includes covers (with vocals) of Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By" (which nominally works) and of Christopher Cross' "Sailing" (which absolutely does not).

Tracklist:

01 - Whew! What A Dream
02 - Ho-Cake
03 - Walk On By
04 - Pick Pocket
05 - Savant
06 - Sailing
07 - The Abyss
08 - SwingTime
09 - Beggin'
10 - Countdown: 2000
11 - Dr. Jackle/Africa Talks To You

Personnel:

Geri Allen - Piano
Victor Bailey - Bass, Arranger
Don Blackman - Organ, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Michael Brecker - Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Jerry Brooks - Bass
Dean Brown - Guitar
Stanley Clarke - Tenor, Bass Solo
Jon Dryden - Synthesizer, Arranger
George Duke - Moog Synthesizer
Vince Evans - Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Foley - Lead Bass
Javon Jackson - Sax (Tenor)
Dechown Jenkens - Guitar
Mark Johnson - Guitar, Vocals
Darryl Jones - Bass
Mark Ledford - Guitar, Trumpet, Arranger, Vocals
Kim Lesley - Vocals (bckgr)
Pete Levin - Synthesizer, Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Orchestration
Bennie Maupin - Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Jean McClain - Vocals (bckgr)
Audrey Northington - Vocals
Nicki Richards - Arranger, Vocals
Patrice Rushen - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
Michael "Patches" Stewart - Trumpet
Danny Walsh - Saxophone
Lenny White - Organ, Arranger, Cymbals, Drums, Keyboards, Programming, Producer
Bernard Wright - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Moog Synthesizer
Pookie Zari - Synthesizer

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Eddie Gomez: Discovery (1985)

A powerful recording, it features Michael Brecker on sax and E.W.I., an electronic wind instrument. Musically this album covers jazz and classical and a little avant-garde.

Tracklist:
1 Me Too - Gadd, Gomez
2 Caprisious Fantasy - Brecker, Gomez
3 Puccini's Walk - Gomez
4 Delgado - Gomez
5 Caribbean Morning - Gomez
6 Scott David - Gomez
7 Cello Sonata in G Minor: 1stMovement - Eccips
Discovery
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Manu Dibango: Choc 'N Soul (2010)

The music Manu Dibango is known for its alchemy of Jazz, African and Jamaican music, Gospel and R&B. His unique style was the forerunner of what we now call world music. Dibango is perhaps best remembered for his 1972 afrobeat single Soul Makossa, often considered the first disco record. This new best-of collection from Fremeaux features twelve tracks released between 1978 and 1989, including the 1978 Kingston remix of Reggae Makossa. Guest artists include Michael and Randy Brecker, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

Tracklist:
1. Choc 'N Soul
2. Reggae Markossa
3. Bushman Promenade
4. Mouna Pola
5. Africa Boogie
6. Douala Serenade
7. Happy Feeling
8. Night Jet
9. Ca Va Chouia
10. Goro City
11. Waka Juju
12. Minuit Au Circuit
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Choc 'n Soul

Peter Erskine: Motion Poet (1988)

An excellent percussionist makes an uneven, but ambitious statement. - AMG

Tracklist:
1. Erskoman (06:22)
2. Not a Word (06:40)
3. Hero With a Thousand Faces (06:23)
4. Dream Clock (07:20)
5. Exit Up Right (05:59)
6. A New Regalia (04:05)
7. Boulez (03:22)
8. The Mystery Man (07:41)
9. In Walked Maya (05:12)
Personnel:
PETER ERSKINE - drums
MICHAEL BRECKER - saxes
WILL LEE - bass
ELIANE ELIAS - piano
BOB MINTZER - bass clarinet, saxes
MARC JOHNSON - bass
JEFF MIRONOV - guitar
JOHN ABERCROMBIE - guitar
JIM BEARD - synthesizers
RANDY BRECKER - trumpet
and many others
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Steps Ahesd: Magnetic (1986)

The last Steps Ahead recording to feature Michael Brecker, this album finds the band exploring the use of electronic instruments and synthesis. Michael Brecker's use of the Akai E.W.I. (electronic wind instrument) is astonishing.

Tracklist:
1.Trains (7:31) [Mike Mainieri]
2.Beirut (8:15) [V.Bailey, M.Brecker, P.Erskine, C.Loeb, M.Mainieri]
3.Cajun (6:16) [Michael Brecker]
4.In a Sentimental Mood (3:30) [Duke Ellington]
5.Magnetic Love (5:33) [Mike Mainieri, Scott Martin]
6.Sumo (5:50) [Michael Brecker]
7.All the Tea in China (5:05) [Peter Erskine]
8.Something I Said (4:23) [Peter Erskine]
9.Reprise (Magnetic Love) (1:15) [Mike Mainieri, Scott Martin]
Personnel:
VICTOR BAILEY- bass
MICHAEL BRECKER- tenor sax, steiner EWI
CHUCK LOEB, HIRAM BULLOCK, PAUL JACKSON- guitar
MIKE MAINIERI- vibes, synthesizers, keyboards
KENNY KIRKLAND, PHIL ASHLEY- synthesizers
PETER ERSKINE- drums, synthesizer, percussion
DIANNE REEVES- lead vocal (5)
DIVA GRAY, JANIS PENDARVIS, JOCELYN BROWN — background vocals
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John Patitucci: One More Angel (1997)

Though One More Angel demonstrates bass-master John Patitucci's skills both as a composer and artist, in allowing others to contribute in both ways, Patitucci demonstrates a rare modesty that combines well with his musical role as a strong but subtle support rather than an overbearing titular lead. Featuring Impulse! artist Michael Brecker on tenor sax and Patitucci's wife Sachi on cello, in addition to pianist Alan Pasqua, tenor sax Chris Potter (who fills the role well in Brecker's absence), and drummer Paul Motian, Angel mixes noir-y slink and mournful silk to express sadness and strength through repetitive themes and flowing orchestrations. ~ Matthew Robinson, All Music Guide ”

Tracklist
01 - Quasimodo
02 - Arrival
03 - One The Hudson
04 - Sachi's Eyes
05 - San Michele
06 - One More Angel
07 - Romance
08 - Snowbound
09 - Notre Dame (Cathedral)
10 - Beloved
Personnel
Paul Motian - Drums
Alan Pasqua - Piano
Chris Potter - Sax (Tenor)
Steve Tavaglione - Sax (Soprano)
Thomas Patitucci - Guitar (Acoustic)
John Beasley - Synthesizer, Piano
Michael Brecker - Sax (Tenor)
John Patitucci - Guitar (Bass), Piccolo, Producer, Bass (Acoustic)
Sachi Patitucci - Cellor
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Michal Urbaniak: Urbanator (1994)

Michal Urbaniak (born January 22, 1943) is a Polish jazz musician and composer born in Warsaw, playing mainly the violin, lyricon and saxophone during concerts and recordings. He played a central role in the development of jazz fusion in the 1970s and 1980s, and has introduced elements of folk, R&B, hip hop, and symphonic music to jazz.

Tracklist:
1. Chameleon (Hancock, Jackson, Mason ...) - 5:23
2. Hopscotch (Getter, White) - 5:05
3. Cats (Komeda) - 4:58
4. Hot Jazz Biscuits (White) - 4:40
5. Watermelon Man (Hancock) - 6:22
6. First Flight (Flythe, Wright) - 4:16
7. Here I Go Again (Groce, Urbanator, Urbaniak ...) - 4:32
8. Sack O' Woe (Adderley) - 6:54
9. For My Mother (Urbanator, Urbaniak) - 4:52
10. Square Park Sunday (Groce, MacDowell, Urbanator ...) - 4:25
Personnel:Michal Urbaniak : violin, talking violin,
tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Lenny White : drums, percussion
Al MacDowell : bass, piccolo bass
Jon Dryden : piano, keyboards
Аdditional musicians:
Herbie Hancock : piano on 1
Marcus Miller : bass on 6
Tom Browne : trumpet, flugelhorn on 4,5,6,7,8
Kenny Garrett : alto saxophone on 8
Michael Brecker : tenor saxophone on 3,9
Randy Brecker : trumpet, flugelhorn on 3,9
Bernard Wright : keyboards, programming on 6
Fred Welsh : rhythm guitar on 5
Jane Getter : guitar on 2
Pawel MacIwoda : extra bass on 2
Rich Keller : rhythm guitar on 3
Spaceman : guitar on 1
Muckhead : rap on 3,7,10
Solid : rap on 4
Dziko : vocal on 7
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Patti Austin: Live At The Bottom Line (1979)

Patti Austin came closest on this late-'70s live set to transferring onto vinyl the qualities that made her an outstanding vocalist outside of the studio. There's more spontaneity, emotion, and charisma in the vocals on this album than on almost all her other releases combined; perhaps the nightclub setting inspired her, or, more likely, Austin was free to sing without any agendas, marketing strategies, or producers' visions being factored into the process.

Tracklist:
1. Jump for Joy 5:11
2. Let It Ride 4:08
3. One More Night 5:10
4. Wait a Little While 4:27
5. Rider in the Rain 6:09
6. You're the One That I Want 3:27
7. Love Me by Name 5:16
8. You Fooled Me 3:10
9. Spoken Introductions 7:09
10. Let's All Live and Give Together 6:41
Personnel:
Patti Austin — Vocals
Michael Brecker — Sax (Tenor)
David Spinozza — Guitar
Leon Pendarvis — Keyboards, Leader
Pat Rebillot — Keyboards
Will Lee — Bass
Errol Bennett — Percussion
Charles Collins — Drums
Babi Floyd — Vocals
Frank Floyd — Vocals
Ullanda McCullough — Vocals
William McCullough — Vocals
Creed Taylor — Producer
Live at the Bottom Line
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Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker Special Quartet - Live at Tollhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany (2000)

Recorded live on July 3, 2000 at Tollhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Tracklist:

01-Slings and Arrows

02-Half Past Late

03-Timeline

04-Into The Dream
05-Extradition

06-Summertime

07-As I Am

08-What Do You Want
09-Everyday (I Thank You)
10-Faith Healer
11-Song For Bilbao
Personnel:
Michael Brecker: Tenor
Pat Metheny: Guitar
Larry Goldings: Organ
Bill Stewart: Drums
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Steps Ahead: Step by Step (1980)

This killer group consists of Michael Brecker (ts), Steve Gadd (d), Eddie Gomez (b) Don Grolnick (p), and Mike Mainieri (vibes). One of three releases available from Japan only, this excellent recording was recorded in the studio under the name Steps.

Tracklist

01. Uncle Bob
02. Kyoto
03. Belle
04. Bullet Train
05. Six Persimmons
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Bob James: Restless (1994)

Less instrusive than real jazz but more energetic than new age, simply constructed but exquisitely performed, James' pop confections are the perfect background music. On this album, James favors acoustic piano over synthesizers (though he uses both) and he employs a shifting cast of supporting musicians. His daughter Hillary James is the sweet-voiced if predictable lead singer on the wispy ballad, "Storm Warning." She joins Luther Vandross for the harmony vocals buried in the mix on "Under Me." Michael Brecker plays strong but simplistic tenor sax lines on that and two other songs. Titles like "Lotus Leaves," "Back to Bali" and "Awaken Us to the Blue" are meant to conjure up a certain romanticism, but they seem no more exotic than airline ads on TV. --Geoffrey Himes

Tracklist

1. Lotus Leaves (6:00)

2. Under Me (5:09)
3. Restless (6:58)
4. Kissing Cross (6:19)
5. Storm Warning (4:05)
6. Animal Dreams (5:34)
7. Back To Bali (7:58)
8. Into The Light (6:30)
9. Serenissima (6:05)
10. Awaken Us To The Blue (5:42)
Restless
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