Customer Reviews

Time Is of the Essence

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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

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.

This is a great record. Anytime that Brecker teams up with Metheny, something special happens - and this goes all the way back to that classic record 80/81 which seems to be the record that Brecker discovered himself on. This record has the added value of Larry Golding's presence - a musician truly up to the challenge of hanging with Metheny and Brecker on their own level. Joey Calderazzo is seriously unable to do that which is why the last Two Blocks from the Edge was a considerably weaker effort. Calderazzo marred Tales from the Hudson as well, he is nothing more than a Herbie Hancock/Chick Corea wannabe who turns every solo into a tasteless display of chops. Brecker himself has a tendency to do this as well, but somehow when Metheny is around he encourages Brecker to go for the most musical choices rather than the most impressive technical ones. Metheny himself is as always a revelation here - he once again invents a new version of himself to fit the situation while sacrificing none of his exceptionally originality. Plus the guy just swings so hard, especially with Elvin Jones egging him on. Bill Stewart is also excellent on this record, only Tain Watts sounds a little stilted and forced here (but less so than on Two Blocks where he and Calderazzo really sounded more like talented music students than seasoned players - they seem to bring out the worst in each other). One other thing- the compositions on this record are excellent with Metheny's Timeline being an instant classic. Brecker should always play with musicians that are up to his level, like Metheny, Dejohnette, Holland, Jones, etc. Whenever he messes around with less talented players like Calderazzo, Stern, etc. he goes down to their level rather than raising them up to his. But he is an awesome musician no matter who he plays with - he just seems to thrive on inspriation.

How could this album be bad? Larry Goldings is the next step in the evolution of the organ. For those counting on another cliche ridden souljazz venture, look elsewhere. Although they pay homage to the tradition (ie, Renaissance Man) this group looks ahead. Brecker's playing is incredible; extremely fiery. Goldings' bass lines are amazing. Metheny is in top form as well. And with the trio of Elvin, Tain, and Stewart to choose from, the rhythm section is unstopable. (Although I have to say that Stewart locks with Goldings better; probably because they've played together so long.) This ranks up there with the Young/Green albums like Into Somethin' and Talkin' About. One of the best jazz albums of this decade. One of the best organ albums since Larry Young. Buy it! Then buy Larry Goldings' "Moonbird".

While I love the funky, bluesy playing of traditional jazz organists like Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott, and "Groove" Holmes, I also dig progressive organists such as Larry Young playing with Anthony Williams, Dan Wall with John Abercrombie, and on this CD Larry Goldings with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. Goldings handles his instrument with a lighter touch than the traditional organists. In fact his playing at times seems almost piano-like; I learned from another Amazon review that Goldings is also a pianist so this makes sense. Brecker is a very powerful tenor player here as always; like Coltrane and Dexter Gordon one has the feeling he could just go on soloing forever. Rounding out the front line is the fine guitarist Pat Metheny who solos well throughout. Drummers Elvin Jones, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Bill Stewart alternate in the drum chair providing solid support. The compositions are interesting with enough variation to hold interest. Offering almost 70 minutes of music "Time Is Of The Essence" is a worthwhile purchase.

This is Michael Breckers best work since Tales from the Hudson. I think this establishes him as the most prominent succesor to Coltrane. The final track with Elvin Jones on drums makes me feel like I am listening to a new composistion by Trane himself. This is post bop at its most straight ahead best. If you dont like this CD go buy something by Kenny G.

Anytime Jazz sax player Michael Brecker has something to say people listen - and rightly so, as his style has had a profound impact on modern jazz. In this album, Brecker departs from his often "funky" style and explores the organ-based quartet format. The result is satisfying, but also significantly more challenging on the ear than other works by him. This is an album which you must sit and listen to, rather than play and absorb subliminally.

The line up of the album is second to none. Metheny takes the lead on Guitar, and Larry Golding's organ playing is exquisite. Rhythm is provided in tun by Elvin Jones, Jeff Watts and Bill Stewart. However, at least for me, the sum is a little less than one might expect from the parts.

Rating this album was a struggle. Technically, it is accomplished; the playing is outstanding, and the production is good. Yet of all my Brecker albums it is the one I play least. Partly, that is purely stylistic, but partly it is that I simply don't find the usual Brecker nuances displayed here. As an introduction to Brecker's music I would avoid this album, at least as a starting point. If you are already an avid Brecker or Metheny fan, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly - there is certainly a great deal of content which bears many repeat listenings.

80/81 - a classic. Mike Brecker - a classic. Tales from the Hudson - a classic. Add this to the list - these guys are made to play together. And with three of the best drummers in jazz and the talented Larry Goldings on B3 - you can't beat this. Another classic. I hope they do more! (get Herbie Hancock next time - that would be the ultimate!)

Yeah, I have to say that Brecker is one of the most amazing saxophonist out there. His solo's are always incredible and exciting. Yet this new album is not the best work of his up to date. The type of playing and concept is no different than his last two albums. In fact, I feel that this is his least innovative album yet. I love the way Brecker plays but I really want to hear something new from a man who is so talented.