The Brecker Bros. Collection, Volumes 1 & 2

Jul

9

The Brecker Bros. Collection, Volumes 1 & 2

≡ Category: 1970s, Essential, Fusion, Jazz Funk, Jazz Rock, Post Bop, Reviews |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

JAZZBO NOTES ESSENTIAL RECORDING

Rating:

The Breckers were often dismissed as shallow R&B fusion at the time these recordings were waxed, which is understandable given the music’s rock star swagger and Michael Brecker’s propensity to play as many notes as humanly possible.

However, that doesn’t take into account Randy Brecker’s innovative horn arrangements (tight clusters that ended up gracing hits by Diana Ross and Cameo, among others), the revolutionary non-functional harmonic structure of R&B based tunes such as “Some Skunk Funk,” Michael’s John Coltrane meets King Curtis saxophone wizardry, or Randy’s chromatic approach to improvisation on the trumpet.

The cuts on Volumes 1 and 2 gather together most of the Brecker Brother’s better tunes and avoid their putrid attempts at pop (Fingerlickin’ Good, Oh My Stars). Hint: Make sure you pick up The Brecker Bros. Collection, Vol. 2, as well.

There are a few missing tunes (the burning Tabula Rasa, for example), but the only way you could do better than The Brecker Bros. Collection would be to purchase all the Brecker Brother’s original recordings on cd, burn the best cuts and make your own best-of collection. And truthfully, the effort and expense would only be worth it for true die hard Brecker Brothers fans.