Customer Reviews

Extensions

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is one of those rare gems that ages like fine wine. The originality in both the selections and the arrangements are infused with a real kick -- and an intense affection for the music. Birdland is one of those wildly perfect records that can send you into a dizzy euphoria upon every listening. Even the dated Twilight Tone still has power. Buy it and love it.

This is one of my all-time favorite albums by one of my all-time favorite vocal groups. The vast array of vocal technique and variety of styles is inspiring. As a music teacher, when I am looking for something to demonstrate a wide variety of vocal techniques, I need go no further than this CD.

Nothing better for those who enjoy vocal thrills and originality. Tight and cool. Crisp and smooth. The tones move you to a new dimension....Hearing the CD takes me back to 1979...late nights listening to my stereo with headphones long after my parents had demanded I go to bed! Now, as a much "older child," I appreciate the music more than ever and know that it's one of the best-kept secrets!

This album was produced by the studio wizard JAY GLAYDON ,so the taste and the production feel is definitely commercial & entertaining & jazzy & poppish.This modern electric approach made them a big star.If you are looking for a jazz chorus with a pop mind, this is the right stuff.These singers can sing old and new numbers with perfection and sophisticated passion.

This is the quintessential TMT CD.

Plus, I think this was the first album with their new singer Cheryl Bentyne. The otber singer was great too, but obviously, with the addition of Cheryl, the group expanded and grew artistically! She really added another dimension, and I don't just mean the "Twilight Tone"!

"Extensions" is proof-positive that the Manhattan Transfer is one of the very best vocal jazz groups ever. The vocal calisthenics of the Birdland track were enough to convince the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences that the group deserved a Grammy for this performance, and the other tracks are just as vivacious and varied. Nothing You Can Do About It is an acceptable attempt at a pop offering, but the more classical Transfer sounds of Shaker Song, Body and Soul, Wacky Dust, and the great a capella rendition of Foreign Affair really enhance the jolt you get from the Birdland track. Coo-Coo-U and Twilight Zone are terrific expeditions into strange sounds and aural experiments that are fun to listen to also. All in all, this is the album that showcases the Manhattan Transfer at the very top of their form.

Extensions was the first Manhattan Transfer album that transcended cult status from Lambert, Hendricks and Ross disciples into their own legitimate category of pop perfection, vocal virtuosos. Birdland was a glimpse of what would come later on Vocalese, in terms of showcasing incredible vocal range and virtuosity while singing very difficult jazz or jazz fusion arrangements. Much of the material is pop and this is not a denigration of their efforts, but quite the reverse. Twighlight Zone has a disco feel as this album was released at the height of the Studio 54 craze in 1979, but despite the hokey aspects it really still is a great tune even today. Perhaps the best song on this collecton is Jay Beckenstein's Shaker Song. I have never particularly been a fan of Spyro Gyra, but this version of Shaker Song with the gorgeous alto sax turn by Richie Cole in particular is the best track and one of the best tracks ever by The Transfer. The song evokes strong emotions at least to this listener and Jay Beckenstein ought to get on his knees and thank these folks as they do a much greater rendition than Spyro Gyra ever dreamed of!

I love this album! My favorite tracks are "Nothin' U Can Do About It", "Coo Coo U", and "Shaker Song". The group has never sounded finer with new addition, Cheryl Bentyne. The Manhattan Transfer has taken the ability to explore their vocal talents and bring it to a whole new level. And I enjoy listening to some of the modern jazz styles from the late 70s and early 80s on this album. There sure are some extensions here!

Produced by L.A. session maestro Jay Graydon this is one of the Manhattan Transfer's best from 1979 with such classics as "Twilight Zone/ Twilight Tone" and "Birdland". Also featured is "Nothin' You Can Do About It" familiar to westcoast music lovers from the version on Airplay: 25th Special Edition also featuring Graydon and David Foster (who also plays on here). Graydon also produced the MT's 1981 album Mecca for Moderns.

Like at least one other reviewer, I was initially attracted to this album because of the first track -- Birdland, which is an absolute smash -- and maybe one other (Trickle Trickle, a decent doo wop number that makes you want to dance). But both of those are also on The Very Best Of Manhattan Transfer, along with several others I like, so I saw no reason to invest in this. Although I am a fan of the group, I'm not necessarily a fan of all their song choices: they could do like Tony Bennett and choose only really good tunes. Body And Soul is okay bebop but nothing new, and I could do without all the rest. Do yourself a favor and get either the Best Of album or the Anthology and get more for your money.