Tag Archives: Michael Brecker

Idris Muhammad: Turn This Mutha

In May 1977, “Kudu” label released “Turn This Mutha”, the fifth Idris Muhammad album. It was recorded October 1976 – February 1977, and was produced by David Matthews.

Personnel:

  • Idris Muhammad — drums, tom tom
  • Hiram Bullock — guitar
  • Hugh McCracken — guitar
  • Eric Gale — guitar
  • Charlie Brown — guitar
  • Clifford Carter — keyboards
  • David Tofani — soprano saxophone
  • Michael Brecker — tenor saxophone solo
  • Ronnie Cuber — baritone saxophone
  • Randy Brecker — trumpet
  • Jon Faddis — trumpet
  • Jeremy Steig — flute
  • Wilbur Bascomb — bass
  • Rubens Bassini — percussion
  • Sue Evans — percussion
  • Clifford Carter — synthesizer
  • Margaret Ross — harp
  • Frank Floyd — vocal
  • Bill Eaton — backing vocals
  • Zachary Sanders — backing vocals
  • Ray Simpson — backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Could Heaven Ever Be Like This – David Matthews, Tony Sarafino
  2. Camby Bolongo – David Matthews
  3. Turn This Mutha Out – David Matthews, Tony Sarafino
  4. Tasty Cakes – David Matthews, Tony Sarafino
  5. Crab Apple – David Matthews
  6. Moon Hymn – David Matthews
  7. Say What – David Matthews

The Eleventh House: Aspects

In May 1976, “Arista” label released “Aspects”, the third Eleventh House (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1976, at “23rd Street Studio” in New York City, and was produced by Danny Weiss.

Personnel:

  • Larry Coryell – acoustic and electric guitar
  • Mike Mandel – keyboards
  • Terumasa Hino – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • John Lee – bass guitar
  • Gerry Brown – drums
  • Steve Khan – acoustic guitar
  • Danny Toan – rhythm guitar
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Mike Mandel – keyboards
  • James Mtume – percussion
  • Terumasa Hino – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Gerry Brown – drums

Track listing:

  1. Kowloon Jag – Larry Coryell
  2. Titus – Danny Toan
  3. Pyramids – Mike Mandel
  4. Rodrigo Reflections – Larry Coryell
  5. Yin-Yang – John Lee, Gerry Brown
  6. Woman of Truth and Future – Mike Mandel
  7. Ain’t It Is – John Lee
  8. Aspects – Larry Coryell

Casiopea: Same

On May 25, 1979, “Alfa” label released the self-titled, debut Casiopea album. It was recorded December 1978 – March 1979, at “Studio A” in Tokyo, “Power Station” in New York City, and was produced by Kunihiko Murai, Syoro Kawazoe, Shinji Sawada  and Kazusuke Obi.

Personnel:

  • Issei Noro – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, arrangements
  • Minoru Mukaiya – Fender Rhodes piano, acoustic piano, Yamaha SK-20, Yamaha Electone EX-1, vibraphone
  • Tetsuo Sakurai – 1974 Natural Finish Fender Jazz bass guitar
  • Takashi Sasaki – drums
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Tomato Strings Ensemble – strings
  • Jun Fukamachi – horn arrangements
  • Hiroki Inul – string arrangements
  • Al Schmitt, Norio Yoshizawa, Yasuhiko Terada – recording
  • Neil Dorfsman – recording
  • Mitsuo Koike – engineer assistant
  • James Farber – engineer assistant
  • Yasuhiko Terada – mixing
  • Toshikuni Okubo – illustration
  • Shigeru Wada – photography
  • Kunihiko Murai, Syoro Kawazoe – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Issei Noro.

  1. Time Limit
  2. Tears of the Star
  3. Space Road
  4. Midnight Rendezvous
  5. Far Away
  6. Swallow
  7. Dream Hill
  8. Black Joke

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)