Customer Reviews

Hangin in the City

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

 

 

If you're put off by Randy's singing, steer clear of this one. This is basically a showcase for Randy's vocals, and most every tune is about his love life and personal problems. At some point while listening (when I'm not tuning out the vocals), I usually come to the conclusion that this is more than I want to know about Randy's life. If you're able to tolerate or tune-out the vocals, there's actually a lot of very sophisticated songwriting, arranging, sequencing and producing, besides the usual stellar playing by the Breckers and sidemen. The sidemen are fewer than most listeners will realize though. Most of the tunes on this recording, like most of the tunes on recent Randy and Brecker Brothers recordings, are comprised largely of sequenced performances. Rhythm section parts are, to varying degrees, sequenced; almost all drums and percussion, all keyboards, more than half the bass parts, and some guitar parts. Most rhythm guitar parts are live, and of course most lead and solo parts are live. But then, "live" is a relative term, because everything is meticulously tweaked and scrubbed in production. A lot of people don't like sequenced music, but it's an art form like any other. And as such, this music is state of the art. George Witte is a master of this kind of production. Check out the CDs he's done for Jamey Aebersold covering music of the Breckers and David Sanborn. They're totally sequenced, and quite impressive. If you're a fan of Randy and his songwriting, it's all here, underneath those vocals.

Randy scores big here with a jazz album that's filled with fun and interesting playing. The song, I talk to the trees, is another Randy Brecker masterpiece.

Randroid, Randy's naughty twin, tells it like it is and he's worth befriending.

Some awesome grove playing by Randy and the band! You've gotta buy this one!

JP

Enjoy!

An excellent cd with great playing and diverse compositions. Listeners of jazz will not only find outstanding performances but a banquet of fun awaits.

The song "I Talk To The Trees is a standout with its use of African grooves and beautiful melodies. Randy's playing on this one digs deep into the soul and demonstrates conclusively why Randy is D'Man!