Search - Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine :: Jazz Academy

Awful CD and misrepresents Brecker's involvement

Tracey W. Larvenz | Miami, FL | 03/11/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"From looking at the cover, you'd think that Michael was one on every track, or at least most of them. In fact, he plays on maybe 4 of the 16 tracks, one of which is entirely EWI with no soloing. The tunes are all original by a German composer and all sound very very dated. It sounds much more like a smooth jazz album (complete with bell piano!). Many of the songs barely have a solo section (including the ones with Brecker). The label or composer basically gathered some of the world's greatest soloists at the top of their game and then refused to let them do what they do best. The mixing of the album is not stellar. If you like anything by Michael Brecker, Mike Stern or Peter Erskine, you'll most likely not like anything about this album. There's a reason that no songs on the album can be previewed before purchase. if I could return it, I would."