Customer Reviews

Some Skunk Funk (Hybr)

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4 star:		(4)
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This audiophile quality live recording (a SACD hybrid) features Germany's WDR big band ably backing the greatest virtuoso sibling horn players on the planet- Randy (trumpet) and Michael Brecker (tenor sax). Recorded a year before Michael was stricken with a rare illness, this gig captures the brothers blowing over some of their greatest hits from the 70's to the present. The arrangements are hip and make clever use of the wind and brass sections. Bassist Will Lee provides the rumbling deep groove. Check out the DVD of this historic event!

Through the years, the two Brecker brothers have been among the busiest musicians in the business. Still, they've reunited from time to time to explore new directions and occasionally to revisit those exciting early days. In November, 2003, they traveled to Koln, Germany for a concert with the WDR Big Band and a rhythm section including old pals Will Lee and drummer Peter Erskine. The performance was released a few weeks ago as Some Skunk Funk.

Drawing from a setlist heavy on Brecker Brothers classics with a few of Randy's recent compositions thrown in for good measure, this disc shows that jazz and funk can still be fused together for a fresh, inspired 21st century sound. Wrapped in the phat arrangements of conductor Vince Mendoza, the songs cook with the added intensity of the WDR's fourteen-piece horn section. The solos are masterful, the Brecker boys giving lessons in improvisational musicality and virtuosity.

Besides the strength of the music itself, this recording has extra poignancy--Michael Brecker was diagnosed early last year with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood cancer also known as "pre-leukemia" for which the treatment is a bone marrow transplant from someone with a similar genetic background. When no matching donors could be found, he underwent an experimental blood stem cell transplant that, according to his website, "did not work as hoped." He is, however, currently leukemia-free and recuperating from his treatments

Originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 8/8/06.
Copyright 2006 Jim Newsom/Port Folio Weekly. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

This is a great live album with superior playing all around as well as sound. This is a must for anyone who loves the passion in the live performance. As usual, the songs performed are groovy as well as funky. They are also soulful and full of feeling. Between Randy's trumpet and Michael's Sax, they create the entire rythm and emotion of these songs.
Sadly Michael Brecker is no longer with us, but his music will always be a positive statement toward all his accomplishments. The man was a brilliant saxaphone player, who not only gave us his own music, but played with just about everybody. The man was and is simply unforgettable.

The ending of this disc is what sealed the deal for me. The track "levitate" is a Randy Brecker piece which is slow, moody and extremely emotional. It's the quietest piece on the disc. Incredible trumpet playing. In my opinion, the last track "SONG FOR BARRY" is one of the best live performances ever. My passion is live performances and I have a list of my favorites that run the gamut from The Allman's to Dire Straits to King crimson. "SONG FOR BARRY" is what makes this disc. This song has all the elements:it builds and builds and then explodes into an incredible ending-the solos are amazing-the passion is proven.
All in all, great concert performance. The last track is worth every listen. This will rank up there in my list of all-time greatest live performances.

This is one of the most unbelievable live jazz recordings I have ever heard. I was dealing with the passing of Michael in January 2007 and wanted something that I did not have in my collection. It would be worth buying if for just the amazing rhythm section playing with the featured German Big Band. When you add in the solos & contributions of Michael and Randy, it becomes a legendary jazz recording featuring two of the best ever. I would recommend this to any fan of jazz, funk, R & B and big bands. It is truly a landmark, (and sadly the last), recording from the Brecker Bros.

Big band sound from the Brecker brothers, recorded live with the WDR orchestra. The result is far too powerful to be considered "smooth" jazz; to me it's more reminiscent of Maynard Ferguson's big band days. My only real complaint is that between the production and the material, it all sounds a little too much alike. The title track isn't very funky (none of this recording is, despite the title) but it does have lots of energy and a wild melody line played in unison by the horns. "Sponge" is basically more of the same. "Shanghigh" features the guitar for a welcome change of tonal palette. "Wayne Out" showcases the horns, back in fine form. "And Then She Wept" is very somber, almost funereal, until "Strap-Hangin'" picks things up again. But then "Let It Go" is more of the same, and "Freefall"... the same. "Levitate" is a still, quiet number for trumpet. "Song for Barry" is the real standout track. It opens with a percussion jam, then the saxes introduce a theme, develop it, and Michael gets in a great solo, then Randy takes one way outside, and finally the guitarist takes a couple of really hot minutes to bring the concert home. If you like exhilarating big band jazz, then this is definitely worth checking out, but don't be expecting anything like innovation or variety.

1. Although I much prefer him on flugelhorn, as its title suggests, Randy Brecker serves up some really funky jazz trumpet on this CD. It was recorded live during the Leverkusener Jazztage at The Forum, Leverkusen, Germany in 2003.

2. His brother Michael joins him on tenor saxophone and Michael Brecker is one of my most favourite latter-day jazz saxophonists.

3. Jim Beard completes the band line up on piano and synthesizer alongside Will Lee on electric bass, the one and only Peter Erskine on drums (who else?) and Marcio Doctor on percussion.

4. The entire proceedings are backed by The WDR Big Band Köln, arranged and conducted by Vince Mendoza. Anyone who's read any of my more recent reviews will know I'm a total Mendoza groupie. In fact, he arranges all the music on this CD and his signature arrangements just add to my overall enjoyment of it.

5. Fantastic songs like "Sponge", "Shanghigh", "And Then She Wept" (although I still prefer the version on the Brecker Brothers 1994 album Out of the Loop), "Strap-Hangin'", "Freefall", "Levitate" and "Song For Barry".

Produced by Lucas Schmid & Joachim Becker, this is one piece of fun concert jazz music. What's not to love?

Micheal Brecker was one of the best sax players I've ever heard. I wanted to pay tribute to his passing by buying his albums. I found this SACD hybrid disk. I listened last night. SACD multichannel sound was amazing and slightly better than DVD audio. Felt like I was in the studio surrounded by these wonderful musicians, Michael, Randy, Will lee and Peter Askin,etc. They are all awesome. Very sad we will not be able to listen to the Brecker brothers anymore. If you have a SACD/DVD player with multichannel surrounding set up, this is one of the best jazz disks. Highly recommended to jazz buffs. I am glad I have this disk.

This is a great CD. I usually try to buy the Grammy Award winners. This truly deserved the award. Jazz is so important to our musical culture, this CD will be enjoyed by all musical tastes

With the recent passing of Michael Brecker, this partnership with the WDR big band is inspiring, musical,and a joyful reminder of the talents Randy and Michael bestowed upon this world with their technical prowess and compositions. In comparison to the more recent Maceo Parker CD with the WDR big band, this CD is just not as energetic, but still a great performance. After having seen the BB's in various settings and bands I had hoped for more, but without a doubt this IS a CD worth owning and I recommend it to anyone whose looking for a modern approach to the big band format. The standards from Michael's and Randy's "book" - "Skunk Funk" "Sponge", etc. still set the bar for 70's-80's fusion. A thoroughly enjoyable set!!

Great Big Band Album - Very great playing and creative arrangements. We will all miss Michael Brecker's great solos.