Search - Mike Nock :: In Out & Round

Brecker at the limit

Will Flannery | Berkeley, CA | 12/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mike Nock is a New Zealand pianist who had been playing with some of the top names in jazz in the U.S., and he assembled an 'all star' band for this straight ahead jazz CD.It features astounding playing by Mike Brecker. According to a recent discography, Brecker has now appeared on more than 150 CD's, so, I can't say this is his best record, but it is surely one of the best. The other Brecker CD's that I have heard are fusion, and I will hypothesize that because of the heavy funk supplied by a fusion rhythm section, the horn is required to play less, and as a result, Brecker coasts. Of course, Brecker coasts at 200 mph. However, on this record there is no electric bass, no drum machine, and no coasting. Brecker plays a long solo on the title cut that is at the limit start to finish. His usual ferocious technique is on display, and this time it is coupled with an emotional intensity that makes this solo like a roller coaster ride, with the excitement of hair-pin turns and the exhiliration of free fall. At his best, Brecker is awesome.I once heard Steps Ahead in a small club in St. Petersburg, Fl., and Brecker tore it up. After the gig, a longhair announced to the crowd at large 'Man, the Stones got nothing on these cats!' Indeed."

Michael Breker at his best !!!

lingua fabio | ITALY | 02/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like tenor saxophone , or Michael Brecker same , this cd is a must for your hear and soul. The wonderful Mike plays here really at his best with any expressive and technically things you will never imagine better . Buy it and let the music flow . Mike , you survive in your Music ."

One of my five favorite albums.

Glen T. Darcey | 06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the LP in '80, and it's so good I bought the CD when that became available.I agree with the previous reviewer that it is Michael Brecker's best album.It's an all-star quartet with George Mraz and Al Foster.Very moody. I read all of Ross MacDonald's Lew Archer novels listening to it!"