Search - Brecker Brothers :: Brecker Bros

Jazz and Funk Party Together in Style!

P. McKenna | Atlanta GA | 10/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While it wasn't the first attempt at melding jazz, rock and funky R&B (Herbie Hancock got a head start), the Brecker Borthers took it to a whole new level of inventiveness. It was as if they were thinking "What would happen if Stevie Wonder and Thelonious Monk had a meeting of the minds?"



What comes out is a fiery brew of twisty angular melodies, inspired playing, soulful Stevie Wonder-esque songcraft, frighteningly tight ensemble playing ("Skunk Funk") and a funky good time had by all. Randy Brecker's writing is one of the most outstanding features of the disc, using lots of witty unpredictable twists, while his Coltrane-inspired brother Michael lays out huge slabs of tenor sax brilliance. Randy even lets off a poignant solo in "Levitate"



Nearly every track is a winner, even the lesser tracks are great fun. "Sneakin' Up Behind You" is their obligatory radio-play tune and it still comes up miles ahead of so much radio fare back then (1975), Randy's exxagerated vocals here are a scream not to mention that catchy melody line! "Oh My Stars" puts Randy in the lead vocal spot, though many would say "Randy, don't quit 'yer day job (trumpeting), the performance is oddly endearing with some funny lyrics and him sounding a lot like the Multiplication Bunny on ABC's Schoolhouse Rock series of yore.



Their early experiments here would be perfected on subsequent albums but there's just nothing like the first one in its raw charm!"