Bob Mintzer Band Randy Brecker/NY,USA 1983 & 1984

As a big band composer/arranger, Mintzer has written songs for bands such as Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, and Art Blakey, and has led his own big band since the early 1980s. He also became widely known as a key member of Jaco Pastorius’ Word of Mouth big band after he left Weather Report. In the 1990s, he also played an active role as a member of the Yellow Jackets. This two-disc set features two live performances: one in November 1983 at Seventh Avenue South, the west end of New York City, where Mintzer grew up, with a small big band featuring Mintzer’s Randy Brecker, Mark Gray, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Peter Erskine, Frankie Malabe, and guest Joheim Kuhn, and one in February 1984 at Seventh Avenue South, the west end of New York City, where Mintzer grew up, with Mintzer’s precious quintet featuring Randy Brecker, Don Grolnick, Tom Barney, and Lenny White. Both performances were recorded for the first time on a two-disc set, recorded directly from ultra-realistic, high-quality masters recorded by people involved in the recording process, making it sound as if they were listening to the show in person! The 1983 live performance is now a big band standard, now considered on par with the Count Basie Orchestra, and features songs with unique harmonies brought about by Mintzer’s sophisticated arrangements, which are now performed by amateur big bands around the world, performed by an ensemble that demonstrates Mintzer’s true talent. Jaco’s Word of Mouth, including the first track “Mr. Phone Bone,” once again proves that Mintzer’s contribution was great. The ensemble is perfectly arranged in every detail, and the outstanding solos of Mintzer, Randy, Loeb, and others are woven together like a kaleidoscope, fully demonstrating the skills that would later earn them a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Ensemble. Will Lee’s uncharacteristic bass, which is somewhat reminiscent of Jaco, is also a nice touch. Mintzer’s signature song “Spiral” is played next, and the elegant performance and the quality of the song above all make you marvel at Mintzer’s extraordinary talent as a composer. Finally, the album features guest Jochaim Kuhn on piano, who generously displays his brilliant fingering with his incredible technique, Randy’s impressive trumpet, Mintzer’s aggressive improvisations, and Erskine’s miraculous drumming, all of whom are top-notch sax players. The album features a blues jam featuring plenty of solos from each member. This is a masterpiece that truly brings out all the best in Mintzer! On the other hand, the 1984 live performance features a tense performance with improvisation by Mintzer, Randy, Grolnick on acoustic piano, Bernie, and White, and includes “Bob Boy,” which emits a suffocating heat in the manner of authentic 4-beat jazz, “Spiral,” which features Bernie’s rare bass solo and is fun to listen to compared to the 1983 version, and “Donna Lee,” by Charlie Parker, which is known for making Jaco famous overnight, and shows off a spectacular bebop performance from Mintzer’s amazing solo to the battle between Mintzer and White in the second half. The first half of the album features an authentic jazz quintet performance. In contrast, the second half shifts to a fusion style performance, and the last part, “Sambosis,” which incorporates a light and refreshing samba rhythm, is a masterpiece that remains irresistible no matter how many times you listen to it. In contrast to the 1983 live performance, which placed emphasis on the ensemble, this 1984 live performance features Mintzer concentrating on playing as a single player, Randy, who also participated in the 1983 live performance, blowing hard, Grolnick’s serious piano swing, and Bernie and White’s spirited playing, making for a sharp and nice performance! Compared to his popularity and talent in his home country of the United States, Mintzer is still relatively unknown here in Japan, but this is a must-have item that luxuriously couples two performances full of his overflowing talent! Disc 1 1. Mr. Fone Born 2. Sprial 3. Blues feat Joachim Kuhn and Randy Brecker Seventh Avenue South,NYC November.10th.1983 Bob Mintzer (Sax) Randy Brecker (Tp) Mark Gray (Key) Chuck Loeb (G) Will Lee (B) Peter Erskine (DS) Frankie Malabe (Per) Joachim Kuhn (Piano) * Guest Disc 2 1. Bob Boy 2. Spiral 3. Donna Lee 4. Fallin’ Love with you Again 5. Lunatic 6. Sambosis Seventh Avenue South NYC February.9.1984 Bob Mintzer (Sax) Randy Brecker (Tp) Don Grolnick (Key) Tom Marney (B) Lenny White (DS)