Tag Archives: Michael Brecker

John Lennon: Mind Games

On October 29, 1973, “Apple” label released “Mind Games”, the third John Lennon studio album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Record Plant Studios” in New York, and was produced by John Lennon.

Personnel:

  • John Lennon – lead, harmony and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, slide guitar, clavinet, mellotron, electric piano, conga, tambourine, maracas, güiro, handclaps
  • David Spinozza – electric guitar, acoustic guitar
  • Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar
  • Ken Ascher – piano, organ, reed organ, electric piano, mellotron
  • Gordon Edwards – bass guitar
  • Jim Keltner – drums, cowbell
  • Rick Marotta – drums, bongos
  • Michael Brecker – saxophone
  • Something Different (Christine Wiltshire, Jocelyn Brown, Kathy Mull, Angel Coakley) – backing vocals
  • Roy Cicala, Dan Barbiero – engineer
  • Tom Rabstanek – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by John Lennon.

  1. Mind Games
  2. Tight A$
  3. Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)
  4. One Day (At a Time)
  5. Bring on the Lucie (Freda Peeple)
  6. Nutopian International Anthem
  7. Intuition
  8. Out the Blue
  9. Only People
  10. I Know (I Know)
  11. You Are Here
  12. Meat City

Jack DeJohnette

On October 26, 2025, Jack DeJohnette died aged 83. He was musician (drums, piano) and composer, regarded as one of the most influential jazz drummers of all time. He recorded and performed with some of the best known jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Lloyd, John Abercrombie, Alice Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and John Scofield. In 2007, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”, and won two “Grammy Awards”. As leader DeJohnette released 38 albums.

The Brecker Brothers: Out of the Loop

On September 30, 1994, “GRP” label released “Out of the Loop”, the seventh and final Brecker Brothers (The) album. It was recorded April – August 1992, and was produced by George Whitty, Maz Kessler and Robbie Kilgore. In 1995 the album won two “Grammy Awards” – “Best Contemporary Jazz Performance” and “Best Instrumental Composition”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Brecker – soprano and tenor saxophone, Akai EWI, arrangements
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn, arrangements
  • George Whitty – keyboards, Hammond organ bass, acoustic piano, keyboard programming, arrangements
  • Chris Botti – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
  • Andy Snitzer – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
  • Maz Kessler – keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
  • Robbie Kilgore – guitars, keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
  • Eliane Elias – vocals, keyboards, vocals, arrangements
  • Dean Brown – guitars, electric guitar
  • Larry Saltzman – guitars
  • James Genus – bass, acoustic bass
  • Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass, acoustic piccolo bass
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Shawn Pelton – drums
  • Rodney Holmes – drums
  • Steve Thornton – percussion
  • Mark Ledford – additional backing vocals
  • James Farber – recording, mixing
  • George Whitty – additional recording
  • Chris Botti – additional recording
  • Andy Snitzer – additional recording
  • Rich Lamb – additional recording
  • Maz Kessler – mixing, additional recording
  • Robbie Kilgore – mixing, additional recording
  • “Q” Engstrom – mixing
  • Scott Hull – mastering
  • Elaine Elias – editing
  • Ron Bach – editing engineer
  • Hiro Ishihara – engineer assistant
  • Chris Albert – mixing assistant
  • Scott Austin – mixing assistant
  • Rory Romano – mixing assistant
  • Robert Smith – mixing assistant
  • Joseph Doughney – post-production engineer
  • Michael Landy – post-production engineer
  • Cara Bridgins – production coordinator
  • Joseph Moore – assistant production coordinator
  • Sonny Mediana – production director, art direction
  • Andy Baltimore – creative director
  • Darryl Pitt – cover concept
  • Laurie Goldman – design
  • Matt Zumbo – front cover illustration
  • Kim Steele – back cover photography
  • Dave Grusin – executive producer
  • Larry Rosen – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Slang – Michael Brecker
  2. Evocations – Chris Botti, Michael Brecker
  3. Scrunch – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
  4. Secret Heart – Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias
  5. African Skies – Michael Brecker
  6. When It Was – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
  7. Harpoon – Randy Brecker
  8. The Nightwalker – Michael Brecker
  9. And Then She Wept – Randy Brecker

The Brecker Brothers: Heavy Metal Be-Bop

In September 1978, “Arista” label released “Heavy Metal Be-Bop”, the first Brecker Brothers (The) live album. It was recorded in 1978, at “My Father’s Place” in Roslyn, New York, and was produced by Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Neil Jason and Kash Monet.

Personnel:

  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, keyboards
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Barry Finnerty – guitars, guitorganiser, backing vocals
  • Neil Jason – lead vocals, bass
  • Terry Bozzio – drums, backing vocals
  • Paul Shaffer – Fender Rhodes
  • Victoria – tambourine
  • Allan Schwartzberg – drums
  • Sammy Figueroa – percussion
  • Rafael Cruz – percussion
  • Kash Monet – handclaps, percussion, backing vocals
  • Bob Clearmountain – handclaps
  • Jeff Schoen – backing vocals
  • Roy Herring – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Randy Brecker, except where noted.

  1. East River – Neil Jason, Bret Mazur, Kash Monet (studio recording)
  2. Inside Out
  3. Some Skunk Funk
  4. Sponge
  5. Funky Sea, Funky Dew – Michael Brecker
  6. Squids

Randy Brecker And Michael Brecker: Some Skunk Funk

In November 2005, “Telarc” label released “Some Skunk Funk”, album by Randy Brecker and Michael Brecker. It was recorded in November, 2003, at the “Forum” in Leverkusen, Germany and was produced by Joachim Becker and Lucas Schmid. In 2006, “Some Skunk Funk” won “Grammy Award” for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo” (Michael Brecker) and “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album”.

Personnel:

  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Harold Rosenstein – alto saxophone
  • Heiner Wiberny – alto saxophone
  • Olivier Peters – tenor saxophone
  • Rolf Römer – tenor saxophone
  • Jens Neufang – baritone saxophone
  • Rob Bruynen – trumpet
  • Andy Haderer – trumpet
  • Rick Kiefer – trumpet
  • John Marshall – trumpet
  • Klaus Osterloh – trumpet
  • David Horler – trombone
  • Bernt Laukamp – trombone
  • Ludwig Nuss – trombone
  • Mattis Cederberg – bass trombone
  • Jim Beard – piano, synthesizer
  • Koji Paul Shigihara – guitar
  • Will Lee – bass guitar
  • Peter Erskine – drums
  • Marcio Doctor – percussion
  • WDR Big Band
  • Vince Mendoza – conductor, arranger
  • Peter Brandt – engineer
  • Klaus Genuit – mixing
  • Knut Schötteldreier – design
  • Ines Kaiser – photography

Track listing:

All tracks are written by Randy Brecker except where noted.

  1. Some Skunk Funk
  2. Sponge
  3. Shanghigh
  4. Wayne Out
  5. And Then She Wept
  6. Strap Hangin’ – Michael Brecker
  7. Let It Go
  8. Freefall
  9. Levitate
  10. Song for Barry – Michael Brecker

Patti Austin: Havana Candy

On October 26, 1977, “CTI” label released “Havana Candy”, the second Patti Austin studio album. It was recorded in Austin 1977, at “Electric Lady Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen.

Personnel:

  • Patti Austin – lead and backing vocals
  • Dave Grusin – acoustic and electric piano, slide whistle, synthesizers, arrangements, conductor
  • Richard Tee – acoustic piano
  • Eric Gale – electric guitar
  • Hugh McCracken – electric guitar
  • Steve Khan – electric guitar
  • Will Lee – electric bass
  • Francisco Centeno – electric bass
  • Anthony Jackson – electric bass
  • Frank Gravis – electric bass
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion, congas
  • Gerry Niewood – alto saxophone
  • Lou Marini – tenor saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone
  • Alan Rubin – trumpet
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet
  • Wayne Andre – trombone
  • Dave Valentin – flute, timbales
  • Seymour Barab, Gene Bianco, David Davis, Peter Dimitriades, Regis Iandiorio, Theodore Israel, Jesse Levy, Charles Libove, Guy Lumia, Elliot Magaziner, Joe Malin, Richard Maximoff, Elliot Rosoff, Paul Winter – string section
  • Lani Groves, Gwen Guthrie, Ullanda McCullough, Ken Williams – backing vocals
  • Larry Rosen – recording, mixing
  • Michael Frondelli – engineer assistant
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Sib Chalawick – design
  • Alen MacWeeney – photography
  • Donna Putney – production coordinator
  • Tony Martell – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Patti Austin, except where noted.

  1. That’s Enough for Me – Patti Austin, Dave Grusin
  2. Little Baby
  3. I Just Want to Know
  4. Havana Candy
  5. Golden Oldies
  6. I Need Somebody
  7. We’re in Love
  8. Lost in the Stars – Maxwell Anderson, Kurt Weill

Elton John: Blue Moves

On October 22, 1976, “Rocket Record Company” label released “Blue Moves”, the eleventh Elton John studio album. It was recorded March – June 1976, at “EMI” in London, “Brother” in Santa Monica, California, “Sunset Sound” in Los Angeles, “eastern Sound” in Toronto, Canada, and was produced by Gus Dudgeon.

Personnel:

  • Elton John – vocals, acoustic piano, vocalese, harmonium, harpsichord
  • Davey Johnstone – mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar, slide guitar, dulcimer, sitar
  • Caleb Quaye – acoustic and electric guitar, 12-string guitar
  • James Newton Howard – synthesizers, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, mellotron, clavinet
  • Carl Fortina – accordion
  • Ray Cooper – glockenspiel, marimba, gong, tambourine, vibraphone, bells, shaker, triangle, finger cymbals, congas, rototom
  • Kenny Passarelli – bass guitar 
  • Roger Pope – drums 
  • David Sanborn – saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – saxophone 
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet 
  • Barry Rogers – trombone 
  • The Martyn Ford Orchestra – strings, brass
  • Michael Hurwitz – cello 
  • The London Symphony Orchestra – strings 
  • The Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church and the Southern California Community Choir – choirs
  • David Crosby – backing vocals
  • Curt Becher – backing vocals, BGV arrangements
  • Bruce Johnston – backing vocals, BGV arrangements
  • Jon Joyce – backing vocals 
  • Ron Hicklin – backing vocals
  • Gene Morford – backing vocals 
  • Graham Nash – backing vocals 
  • Toni Tennille – backing vocals
  • Cindy Bullens – backing vocals
  • Clark Burroughs – backing vocals
  • Joe Chemay – backing vocals
  • The Gene Page Strings – strings
  • Richard Studt – strings and brass leader
  • Harry Bluestone – strings leader
  • Paul Buckmaster – strings and brass arrangements, conductor
  • Rev. James Cleveland – choir director
  • Daryl Dragon – BGV arrangements
  • Arun Chakraverty, Mark Howlett, John Kurlander, Earle Mankey, John Stewart – engineer
  • Gus Dudheon – engineer, remix, liner notes
  • Arun Chakraverty – cutting engineer
  • David Costa – art direction and coordination
  • Patrick Procktor – painting
  • David Nutter – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

  1. Your Starter for…-Caleb Quaye
  2. Tonight
  3. One Horse Town – Elton John, Bernie Taupin, James Newton Howard
  4. Chameleon
  5. Boogie Pilgrim – Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone, Caleb Quaye
  6. Cage the Songbird – Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnston
  7. Crazy Water
  8. Shoulder Holster
  9. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
  10. Out of the Blue
  11. Between Seventeen and Twenty – Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnston, Cale Quaye
  12. The Wide Eyed and Laughing – Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Newton Howard, Davey Johnstone, Caleb Quaye
  13. Someone’s Final Song
  14. Where’s the Shoorah?
  15. If There’s a God in Heaven (What’s He Waiting For?) – Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone
  16. Idol
  17. Theme from a Non-Existent TV Series
  18. Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance)

Paul Simon: Still Crazy After All These Years

On October 17, 1975, “Columbia” label released “Still Crazy After All These Years”, the fourth Paul Simon studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “A&R Recording” in New York City, and was produced by Phil Ramone and Paul Simon.

Personnel:

  • Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, string and horn arrangements
  • Pete Carr – electric guitar
  • Joe Beck – electric guitar
  • Jerry Friedman – electric guitar
  • Hugh McCracken – acoustic and electric guitar
  • John Tropea – electric guitar
  • Barry Beckett – Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano
  • Bob James – woodwind arrangements, string arrangements, Fender Rhodes
  • Kenneth Ascher – Fender Rhodes, organ
  • Sivuca – vocal solo, accordion
  • Richard Tee – acoustic piano
  • Leon Pendarvis – acoustic piano
  • Toots Thielemans – harmonica
  • David Hood – bass
  • Tony Levin – bass
  • Gordon Edwards – bass
  • Roger Hawkins – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Grady Tate – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Eddie Daniels – saxophone
  • David Sanborn – saxophone
  • Phil Woods – alto saxophone
  • David Mathews – horn arrangements
  • Phoebe Snow – vocals, backing vocals
  • Art Garfunkel – vocals
  • Patti Austin – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • The Jessy Dixon Singers – backing vocals
  • Chicago Community Choir – backing vocals
  • Phil Ramone – engineer
  • Jerry Masters – engineer
  • Glenn Berger – recording
  • Bert Szerlip – recording
  • John Berg – design
  • Anthony Maggiore – design
  • Edie Baskin – cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Paul Simon.

  1. Still Crazy After All These Years
  2. My Little Town
  3. I Do It for Your Love
  4. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
  5. Night Game
  6. Gone at Last
  7. Some Folks Lives Roll Easy
  8. Have a Good Time
  9. You’re Kind
  10. Silent Eyes

The Brecker Brothers: The brecker Bros.

In September 1975, “Arista” label released “The Brecker Bros.”, the debut Brecker Brothers (The) studio album. It was recorded in January 1975, at “Secret Sound” in New York City, and was produced by Randy Brecker.

Personnel:

  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Bob Mann – guitars
  • Don Grolnick – keyboards
  • Will Lee – vocals, electric bass
  • Harvey Mason – drums
  • Chris Parker – additional drums 
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Gerald Block – engineer, mixing
  • David Stone – mixing assistant
  • Leanne Ungar – mixing assistant
  • Bob Heimall – art direction
  • Arron Associates – design
  • John Paul Endress – photography
  • Steve Backer – executive produce

Track listing:

All tracks by Randy Brecker, except where noted.

  1. Some Skunk Funk
  2. Sponge
  3. A Creature of Many Faces
  4. Twilight
  5. Sneakin’ up Behind You – Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Don Grolnick, Will Lee, David Sanborn
  6. Rocks
  7. Levitate
  8. Oh My Stars
  9. D.B.B.

Natalie Cole: Stardust

On September 24, 1996, “Elektra” label released “Stardust”, the 15th Natalie Cole album. It was recorded June – September 1996, at “Ocean Way Recording”, “Capitol Studios”, “Conway Studios” and “LeGonks West” in Hollywood, “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, “Chartmaker Studios” in Malibu, California, “The Hit Factory” and “Sony Music Studios” in New York, “The Shire” in Bedford, New York, “Wisseloord Studios” in Hilversum, Netherlands, and was produced by George Duke, David Foster, Phil Ramone and Natalie Cole. At the 39th “Grammy Awards”, Natalie Cole won the “Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals” for the song “When I Fall in Love”, a duet with Nat King Cole. The song also won the “Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocal(s)” for arrangers Alan Broadbent and David Foster.

Personnel:

  • Natalie Cole – lead and backing vocals, vocal and music arrangements, album concept, executive producer
  • Nat King Cole – lead vocals, Hammond B3 organ
  • John Chiodini – guitar, acoustic guitar
  • John Pizzarelli – guitar
  • Paul Jackson Jr. – electric guitar
  • Lee Ritenour – guitar
  • Terry Trotter – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, keyboards
  • Michael Lang – acoustic piano
  • Rob Mounsey – acoustic piano, keyboards, music arrangements
  • George Duke – acoustic piano, keyboards, vibraphone, music arrangements, horn arrangements, vocals arrangements
  • Bob James – keyboards, acoustic piano, music arrangements
  • Toots Thielemans – harmonica 
  • Jim Hughart – bass, music arrangements
  • Chuck Domanico – bass
  • David Finck – bass
  • Reggie Hamilton – bass
  • Chuck Berghofer – bass
  • Nathan East – bass
  • Harold Jones – drums
  • Ralph Penland – drums
  • Chris Parker – drums
  • John Guerin – drums
  • John Robinson – drums
  • Harvey Mason – drums
  • Bashiri Johnson – percussion
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion
  • Rafael Padilla – percussion
  • Dan Higgins – saxophone
  • Everette Harp – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – saxophone
  • Wynton Marsalis – trumpet
  • George Bohanon – trombone
  • Jon Clarke – oboe
  • Alan Broadbent – music arrangements
  • John Clayton – music arrangements
  • David Foster – music and vocals arrangements
  • Johnny Mandel – music arrangements
  • Charles Floyd – music arrangements
  • Gordon Jenkins – original music arrangements
  • Clare Fischer – strings arrangements
  • Jerry Hey – horns arrangements
  • Janis Siegel – backing and harmony vocals
  • Al Schmitt – recording, mixing
  • Elliot Scheiner, Erik Zobler, Dave Reitzas – recording
  • Felipe Elgueta, Wayne Holmes, Henk Korff, John Patterson, Patrick Ulenberg – additional engineering
  • Jeffrey Demorris, Peter Doell, Koji Ejawa, Rob Frank, Barry Goldberg, John Hendrickson, Glenn Marchese, Eddie Miller, Charlie Paakkari, Rail Rogut, Robbes Stieglitz – engineer assistant
  • Gabrielle Raumberger – art direction
  • Emily Rich – design
  • Rocky Schenck – photography
  • Simon Ramone, Corrine Duke – production assistant
  • Shari Sutcliffe – project coordinator
  • Dick La Palm – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. There’s a Lull in My Life – Mack Gordon, Harrye Revel
  2. Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish
  3. Let’s Face the Music and Dance – Irving Berlin
  4. Teach Me Tonight – Sammy Cahn, Gene de Paul
  5. When I Fall in Love – Edward Heyman, Victor Young
  6. What a Difference a Day Made – Stanley Adams, María Méndez Grever
  7. Love Letters – Edward Heyman, Victor Young
  8. He Was Too Good to Me – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
  9. Dindi – Ray Gilbert, Antônio Carlos Jobim
  10. Two for the Blues – Neal Hefti, Jon Hendricks
  11. If Love Ain’t There – Johnny Burke
  12. To Whom It May Concern – Nat King Cole, Charlotte Hawkins
  13. Where Can I Go Without You? – Victor Young, Peggy Lee
  14. Ahmad’s Blues – Ahmad Jamal. Bobby Williams
  15. Pick Yourself Up – Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
  16. If You Could See Me Now – Tadd Dameron, Carl Sigman
  17. Like a Lover – Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Nelson Motta
  18. This Morning It Was Summer – Bob Haynes
  19. When I Fall in Love (Spanish version) – Victor Young, Edward Heyman