Tag Archives: Michael Brecker

Michael Brecker: Don’t Try This At Home

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On September 5, 1988, “Impulse!” label released “Don’t Try This at Home”, the second Michael Brecker studio album. It was recorded in 1988, at “The Power Station” in New York City, and was produced by Don Grolnick. In 1989, the album won a “Grammy Award” for “Best Improvised Jazz Solo”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone, EWI
  • Don Grolnick – acoustic piano
  • Herbie Hancock – acoustic piano
  • Joey Calderazzo – acoustic piano
  • Judd Miller – synthesizer programming
  • Jim Beard – synthesizers, acoustic piano
  • Mike Stern – guitars 
  • Charlie Haden – acoustic bass
  • Jeff Andrews – fretless electric bass, electric bass
  • Jack DeJohnette – drums
  • Adam Nussbaum – drums
  • Peter Erskine – drums
  • Mark O’Connor – violin
  • James Farber – recording, mixing
  • Gary Solomon – engineer assistant
  • Karen Robben – engineer assistant
  • Greg Calbi – mastering 
  • Kathleen Covert – art direction. design
  • Mark Seliger – photography
  • George Varga – liner notes
  • Tom Gill – piano technician
  • Ricky Schultz – executive producer
  • Jerry Wortman – production assistant
  • Karen Kramer – production coordinator

Track listing:

  1. Itsbynne Reel – Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick
  2. Chime This – Don Grolnick
  3. Scriabin – Vince Mendoza
  4. Suspone – Mike Stern
  5. Don’t Try This at Home – Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick
  6. Everything Happens When You’re Gone – Michael Brecker
  7. Talking to Myself – Don Grolnick
  8. The Gentleman & Hizcaine – Jim Beard

McCoy Tyner: Infinity

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In August 1995, “Impulse!” label released “Infinity”, the 63rd McCoy Tyner album. It was recorded in April 1995, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Michael Cuscuna. In 1996, “Infinity” won “Grammy Award” for “Best Jazz Instrumental Performance (Individual or Group)”, while Michael Brecker won the “Grammy Award” for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo” for the track “Impressions”.

Personnel:

  • McCoy Tyner – piano
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Avery Sharpe – bass
  • Aaron Scott – drums
  • Valtinho Anastacio– congas, percussion

Track listing:

All tracks by McCoy Tyner except where noted.

  1. Flying High
  2. I Mean You – Coleman Hawkins, Thelonious Monk
  3. Where Is Love
  4. Changes
  5. Blues Stride
  6. Happy Days
  7. Impressions – John Coltrane
  8. Mellow Minor
  9. Good Morning Heartache – Ervin Drake, Dan Fisher, Irene Higginbotham

Don Sebesky: The Rape Of El Morro

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In July 1975, “CTI” label released “The Rape of El Morro”, the fourth Don Sebesky album. It was recorded April – May 1975, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Don Sebesky – keyboards, arranger, conductor
  • Joan LaBarbara – vocals
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Jon Faddis – trumpet
  • Wayne Andre, Barry Rogers, Sonny Russo – trombone
  • Tony Studd – bass trombone
  • Ray Beckenstetein – flute, alto flute, piccolo
  • Harvey Estrin, Walt Levinsky, George Marge, Al Regni – flute
  • Joe Beck – guitar
  • Don Grolnick, Roland Hanna, Pat Rebillot – keyboards
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Will Lee – bass
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • George Devens, Phil Kraus – percussion
  • Harry Cykman, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondi, David Rose – violin
  • Jean R. Dane, Manny Vardi – viola
  • Seymour Barab, Charles McCracken – cello
  • Bob Ciano, Richard Mantel – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Don Sebesky, except where noted.

  1. The Rape of El Morro
  2. Moon Dreams – John Chalmers MacGregor, Johnny Mercer
  3. Skyliner – Charlie Barnet, Billy Moore Jr.
  4. The Entertainer – Scott Joplin
  5. Footprints of the Giant – based on themes by Béla Bartók, arranged and adapted by Don Sebesky
  6. Lucky Seven

George Benson: Good King Bad

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In June 1976, “CTI” label released “Good King Bad”, the thirteenth George Benson studio album. It was recorded July – October – December 1975, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • George Benson – vocals, guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • Don Grolnick – clavinet
  • Bobby Lyle – keyboards
  • Roland Hanna – keyboards
  • Ronnie Foster – keyboards
  • Gary King – bass, rhythm arrangements
  • Andy Newmark – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Dennis Davis – drums
  • Sue Evans – percussion
  • David Friedman – vibraphone
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Frank Vicari – tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone 
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Fred Wesley – trombone
  • Joe Farrell – flute
  • Romeo Penque – flute
  • David Tofani – flute
  • David Matthews – arrangements
  • Bob James – conductor
  • Max Ellen – violin
  • Paul Gershman – violin
  • Harry Glickman – violin
  • Emanuel Green – violin
  • Harold Kohon – violin
  • David Nadien – violin
  • John Pintavalle – violin
  • Max Pollikoff – violin
  • Harold Coletta – viola
  • Theodore Israel – viola
  • Charles McCracken – cello
  • Alan Shulman – cello
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
  • Rene Schumacher – design
  • Pete Turner – cover and liner photography
  • Leonard Feather – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Theme from Good King Bad – David Matthews
  2. One Rock Don’t Make No Boulder – David Matthews
  3. Em – Philip Namanworth
  4. Cast Your Fate to the Wind – Vince Guaraldi
  5. Siberian Workout – David Matthews
  6. Shell of a Man – Eugene McDaniels

Michael Brecker: Two Blocks From The Edge

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In May 1988, “Impulse!” label released “Two Blocks from the Edge”, the 17th Michael Brecker album (as leader or co-leader). It was recorded in 1997, “Avatar Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Joey Calderazzo and Michael Brecker.

Personnel:

  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone, arrangements
  • Joey Calderazzo – acoustic piano
  • James Genus – bass
  • Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts – drums
  • Don Alias – percussion
  • Joey Calderazzo – arrangements
  • James Farber – recording, mixing
  • Rory Romano – recording assistant, mixing assistant
  • Greg Calbi – mastering 
  • Steve Fallone – mastering assistant
  • Hollis King – art direction
  • Kevin Gaor – design
  • Timothy White – photography
  • Gitte Gammelgaard – band photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Michael Brecker, except where noted.

  1. Madame Toulouse
  2. Two Blocks from the Edge
  3. Bye George – Joey Calderazzo
  4. El Niño – Joey Calderazzo
  5. Cat’s Cradle – Joey Calderazzo
  6. The Impaler – Jeff “Tain” Watts
  7. How Long ‘Til the Sun
  8. Delta City Blues

Average White Band: Warner Communications

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In March 1978, “Atlantic” label released “Warmer Communications” the sixth Average White Band studio album. It was recorded in 1978, and was produced by Arif Mardin.

Personnel:

  • Onnie McIntyre – vocals, guitar
  • Alan Gorrie – lead and backing vocals, bass, guitar
  • Hamish Stuart – lead and backing vocals, bass, guitar
  • Roger Ball – keyboards, alto saxophone, string and horn arrangements
  • Malcolm Duncan – soprano and tenor saxophone
  • Steve Ferrone – drums, percussion
  • Cornell Dupree – guitar
  • Michael Brecker – flute, additional tenor saxophone
  • Lew Delgatto – additional baritone saxophone and flute
  • Randy Brecker – additional trumpet
  • Marvin Stamm – additional trumpet
  • Barry Rogers, Tom Malone – additional trombone
  • Ray Barretto – additional percussion and congas
  • Rubens Bassini – additional percussion

Track listing:

  1. Your Love Is a Miracle – Alan Gorrie
  2. Same Feeling, Different Song – Hamish Stuart, Alan Gorrie, Roger Ball
  3. Daddy’s All Gone – James Taylor
  4. Big City Lights – Steve Ferrone, Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart
  5. She’s a Dream – Hamish Stuart
  6. Warmer Communications – Alan Gorrie, Steve Ferrone, Roger Ball, Hamish Stuart
  7. The Price of the Dream – Alan Gorrie
  8. Sweet & Sour – Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart, Roger Ball
  9. One Look Over My Shoulder (Is This Really Goodbye?) – Roger Ball, Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart

Everything But The Girl: Language Of Life

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On February 5, 1990, “Atlantic” and “Blanco y Negro Records” labels released “The Language of Life”, the fifth Everything but the Girl studio album. It was recorded in 1989, at “Bill Schnee Studios”, “Ocean Way Recording” and “Sunset Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Tracey Thorn – vocals
  • Ben Watt – vocals, guitar, piano
  • Michael Landau – guitar
  • Larry Williams – piano, synthesizers
  • Russell Ferrante – piano
  • Joe Sample – piano
  • John Patitucci – bass
  • Omar Hakim – drums
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
  • Lenny Castro – percussion
  • Marc Russo – alto saxophone
  • Stan Getz – tenor saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Kirk Whalum – tenor saxophone
  • Jerry Hey – flugelhorn, horn arrangements
  • Al Schmitt – engineer
  • Bill Schnee – mixing
  • Nick Knight – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Ben Watt, except where noted.

  1. Driving
  2. Get Back Together
  3. Meet Me in the Morning – Ben Watt, Tracey Horn
  4. Me and Bobby D – Ben Watt, Tracey Thorn
  5. The Language of Life – Ben Watt, Tracey Horn
  6. Take Me – Cecil Womack, Linda Womack
  7. Imagining America
  8. Letting Love Go
  9. My Baby Don’t Love Me
  10. The Road

Horace Silver: A Prescription For The Blues

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In October 1997, “Impulse!” label released “A Prescription for the Blues”, the 35th Horace Silver album. It was recorded in May 1997, in New York City, and was produced by Horace Silver.

Personnel:

  • Horace Silver – piano, arrangements
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Louis Hayes – drums
  • Jim Anderson – recording
  • Al Schmitt – mixing
  • Tommy LiPuma – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Horace Silver.

  1. A Prescription for the Blues
  2. Whenever Lester Plays the Blues
  3. You Gotta Shake That Thing
  4. Yodel Lady Blues
  5. Brother John and Brother Gene
  6. Free at Last
  7. Walk On
  8. Sunrise in Malibu
  9. Doctor Jazz

Michael Franks: The Camera Never Lies

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On July 7, 1987, “Warner Bros” label released “The Camera Never Lies”, the tenth Michael Franks album. It was recorded in 1987, and was produced by Rob Mounsey.

Personnel:

  • Michael Franks – vocals, banjo, guitar, mandolin
  • Hiram Bullock – guitar
  • Cornell Dupree – guitar
  • Steve Khan – guitar
  • Earl Klugh – guitar
  • Jeff Mironov – guitar
  • Georg Wadenius – guitar
  • Clifford Carter – piano, synthesizer
  • Richard Tee – piano
  • Mark Egan – bass
  • Neil Jason – bass
  • Will Lee – bass, backing vocals
  • Marcus Miller – bass
  • Robin Gould – drums
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Chris Parker – cymbals, drums
  • Dave Weckl – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – congas, percussion
  • Roger Squitero – caxixi, shekere
  • Lawrence Feldman – alto saxophone
  • Bill Evans – tenor saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – EWI, tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Lew Soloff – trumpet
  • Rob Mounsey – flute, keyboard bass, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Michal Urbaniak – violin
  • Patti Austin – vocals, backing vocals
  • Kacey Cisyk – backing vocals
  • Art Garfunkel – backing vocals
  • Lani Groves – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Michael Franks, except where noted.

  1. Face to Face
  2. I Surrender
  3. The Camera Never Lies
  4. Lip Service
  5. When I Think of Us
  6. Island Life – Michael Franks, Rob Mounsey
  7. How You’re in My Dreams – Michael Franks, Clifford Carter
  8. Doctor Sax
  9. Innuendo

Horace Silver: In Pursuit of the 27th Man

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In March 1973, “Blue Note” label released “In Pursuit of the 27th Man”, the 21st Horace Silver album. It was recorded October – November 1972, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, in New Jersey, and was produced by George Butler.

Personnel:

  • Horace Silver – piano
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • David Friedman – vibes
  • Bob Cranshaw – electric bass
  • Mickey Roker – drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Horace Silver, except where noted

  1. Liberated Brother – Weldon Irvine
  2. Kathy – Ray Evans, Jay Livingston, Moacir Santos
  3. Gregory Is Here
  4. Summer in Central Park
  5. Nothin’ Can Stop Me Now
  6. In Pursuit of the 27th Man
  7. Strange Vibes