Time Is of the Essence

Michael Brecker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 2, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000296PM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,486 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

BRECKER MICHAEL TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Brecker, January 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Time Is of the Essence (Audio CD)

Michael Brecker has made a great career for himself late in life, and with records like this one and "Tales from the Hudson" he continues a great stretch. I feel like he is at his best when he is around musicians that really challenge and inspire him, and Pat Metheny and Larry Goldings, not to mention the three great drummers, certainly do that here. (the record in between "Two Blocks from the Edge" was considerably less interesting without a major soloist for him to share the load with - the piano player on that record, Joey Calderazzo, just does not seem up to the level of others that he has used like McCoy Tyner or Herbie Hancock). I love hearing Brecker in this organ setting! And Larry Goldings is unbelievable!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a real smoker!, September 24, 2005

By 

Shawn (IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time Is of the Essence (Audio CD)

This album is the real deal.

Brecker leads the charge, this time with Larry Goldings on organ, and familiar sideman Metheny on guitar. In my opinion, they hit the ball out of the park on this one.

This time, the focus is really on the music. Often, I think Brecker gets caught up in demonstrating the state of the Tenor (Delta City Blues, My One and Only Love) as only he can. For this one, it's an all hands on deck team effort. The arrangements are great, but it's the hard driving swing that makes this record groove. I think it's absolutely one of Brecker's finest efforts. And check out the drummers on this one. Theey get a chance to really shine, where the songs are well suited to their individual strengths.

Elvin Jones plays like a god, providing herculean drive and swing as always. But, Stewart and Watts match his intensity (as much as anyone else could.)

Goldings is terrific here, and Metheny plays fine as usual. But he also shows a little extra edge, which is always nice.

At the time this came out, I remember a quote by Brecker about how he wore out a few copies of Unity by Larry Young, which featured Joe Henderson's fine Tenor playing matched with Young's organ. With Time of the Essence, Brecker (whether intentional or not) creates a fine tribute to Youngs landmark recording. On Time is of the Essence, Brecker and company created their own matserpiece worthy of comparison.

Shawn

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album is full of richness, originality, and variety., November 20, 1999

By 

Martin Brunelle (Trinidad, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Time Is of the Essence (Audio CD)

Michael Brecker and Pat Metheny are in their usual high form, but what really sticks out to me in this album is the strong group unity.With the mixture of guitar, organ and drums backing up Michael, the texture should be very thick, but it's not because these musicians know how to play without stepping all over each other. This is an album that will be like no others. The combination of tenor sax, organ and guitar is a "first," at least for me. I've only heard this album once but I have a feeling it will get better with time (after all, the title is "Time is of the essence") because it is too challenging for just a one-time listen. I will not get sick of it even after listening to it 20 times like many other albums.