Vibrate

The Manhattan Transfer

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B0002VEXAU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,024 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz > Vocalese

Track Listings

1. Walkin' in N.Y.

2. Greek Song

3. Vibrate

4. New Juju Man (Tutu)

5. Doodlin'

6. Twelfth

7. First Ascent

8. Core of Sound (Modinha)

9. Feel Flows

10. Embraceable You

11. Come Softly to Me/I Met Him on a Sunday

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Some of the Transfer's best records have been themed, such as Brasil and Vocalese. However, their biggest commercial successes have come from albums like Extensions and Mecca for Moderns, recordings that highlighted the genre-hopping versatility of the vocal quartet and yielded big pop hits along with it. This album falls into the latter category. The previous five decades are harmonically represented throughout these 11 tracks, including traditional '40s vocal styling on "Embraceable You," a classic '50s doo-wop medley, and some Beach Boys-styled psychedelic '60s pop on "Feel Flows." They've always excelled at jazz, and do so here with lyrics by Jon Hendricks to melodies from Horace Silver and Marcus Miller. But it's the group's forays into the 21st century via songs by Brenda Russell and Rufus Wainwright that really stand out. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Transfer's best in 13 years, October 1, 2004

By	Joshua Smith (CT, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When the Manhattan Transfer decided to follow up their brilliant 1991 album "The Offbeat of Avenues" with three mediocre albums starting with 1994's "Tonin'," I felt like I lost four of my best musical friends. Luckily, my friends are back with a terrific new release for Telarc records. Everything I love about the Manhattan Transfer is here. Daring vocal arrangements combined with bold song choices. This is the formula they used for their 5 best albums "Extensions," "Mecca for Moderns," "Vocalese," "Brasil" and "Offbeat of Avenues." Luckily they returned to that winning formula for "Vibrate." Kudos to the Transfer for this extrememly rewarding new CD.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vocal eclectisism, done very well, December 23, 2004

By	Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews

The Manhattan Transfer has always been a very eclectic singing group, given the superlative degree of musicianship of each of its four singers. But when you think of the M.T., you tend to think of two genres: vocalese (e.g., most of "Vocalese" and the best cuts of "Mecca for Moderns") and jazzed-up doo-wop (e.g., "Boy from New York City," "Trinkle Trinkle" and "Operator")

This album has precious little of that. Its vocalese consists of a harmonized version of Jon Hendricks' wonderful "Doodlin'", an old Horace Silver staple most prominently covered by Mark Murphy; and its doo-wop is the last cut, a cool medley of "Come Softly To Me" and "I Met Him on a Sunday" (complete with "Papa do-run-run's" in the background)

The album as a whole is as wide a pastiche of eclectism as you'll find from a singing group. From Latin-tinged ("Walkin in New York), to Oriental-influenced ("Greek Song"), to Mediterranean-toned ("Vibrate"), to straight ahead jazz ( Miles'"The New Juju Man"), this album has it all.

My favorites are the three cuts augmented with a string quartet and piano: the aforementioned title track; a lovely cover of Gershwin's "Embraceable You"; and IMO the album's highlight, or "Core of Sound." I think the reason these work so well is that, not only are they gorgeous arrangements in and of themselves, but also the violin extends the soprano range of Cheryl Bentyne, while the cello extends the bass range of Tim Hauser, so that the tightly harmonized quartet sounds even more impressive than usual.

Special note, as well, to the most adventurous track, "First Ascent", a space-aged sounding, tightly harmonized tune over a fast 7/8 background.

Based on all of these superlatives, you ask, why only four stars? Basically, I have to put some distance between this album and the Transfer's best, or "Vocalese", as well as the best vocal ensemble jazz album of the new millenium, or the New York Voices' "Sing Sing Sing." But it's a very high four, and I strongly recommend this album to all. This one will grow on you. RC

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Satisfying!, October 2, 2004

By	V. Moy Ortiz "moyado" (paranaque, Metro Manila Philippines) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This album proves why the Transfers are still the planet's premiere vocal group!! Happy that they are back to their eclectic/variety album mode. from the esoteric tunes of Miles Davis to swing to vocalese to doo-wop to latin to contemporary tunes by Rufus Wainwright and Brenda Russell - this album has almost everything. Would've wanted a couple of R&B flavored tunes on this..... or even to be so daring as to visit the dance genre or acid jazz/smooth jazz sound once again (remember Mecca for Moderns and Extentions?)Janis, Tim, Cheryl and Alan - after all these years, I am still your number one fan!

Just a note to Telarc - the major disappointment on this album was the photography, art direction , packaging and lay-out. For such a classy group, the CD's Front cover was definitely NOT flattering for the group.