Michael Brecker Quartet/CA, USA 1996

Immortal tenor titan Michael Brecker’s greatest masterpiece, the ultimate Grammy-winning acoustic jazz album, “Tales from the Hudson”. An intense live show full of “From the Hudson” numbers is here for the first time! ! In 1996, he released the Grammy-winning masterpiece “Tales from the Hudson”, the ultimate masterpiece of contemporary acoustic jazz, and was praised as having the most influence on tenor saxophone performance styles since Coltrane. On October 5, 1996, at the peak of the band’s popularity, they performed at the prestigious Yoshi’s in Oakland, with piano player Joey Calderazzo, who also participated in the album, bassist James Zinas, and drummer Jeff Tain Watts. , Michael, who was attracting the most attention at the time, led his own strongest quartet, which was made up of talented young people, and performed an amazing live performance in which 4 of the 5 songs were from “Tales from the Hudson.” , a must-listen edition has arrived that is recorded with the highest quality sound that has been carefully mastered by the label, which is different from the caged masters that are circulating among some collectors! ! ! With one horn played by Michael’s tenor, he played against young lions such as the young piano player Joey Calderazzo, the bassist James Zinas, and the drummer Jeff Tain Watts, who possessed an incredible combination of technique and taste that was beyond anyone’s control. , from the first song “Slings and Arrows” you will be blown away without thinking about the future! Although it is difficult to generalize due to the differences in eras, Michael is said to be the leading figure who has had the most influence on the tenor saxophone style since Coltrane, with his overwhelming technique and versatile expressiveness. It had already surpassed Coltrane! ? ! After all, when you listen to tenor saxophone players after Coltrane’s death, you still hear people say that the groups after the Beatles were post-Beatles, so no matter how patronizing you listen to them, it’s normal for them to somehow remind you of Coltrane. However, for some reason, I have a fresh memory of the fact that Michael was just Michael after he entered the jazz world in earnest. After Michael’s death, the tenor is still Michael or Coltrane…I’m off topic, but as the performance progresses with “Midnight Voyage,” “African Skies,” and “Naked Soul,” Michael and each member become even more vocal. The excitement was rising rapidly, and the overwhelming performance, just before the critical point, was on the verge of exploding, and it was nothing short of amazing. Of course, the three other than Michael are also very much part of the future. The drums in the background, especially Watts’s, keep the rhythm but move almost freely, and Zinas and Calderazzo go far beyond mere support, creating a suspense-pounding sound reminiscent of the golden quintet of Miles with Herbie, Tony, and Ron. I can’t stand the performance. The solo of Watts in the Senju Kannon state in the second half is incredible! After the intense performance, Calderazzo’s piano and Michael’s emotionally charged tenor are also superb. The song ends with the overwhelming “Nothing Personal,” which also serves as an introduction to the members, taking over the good old days of jazz etiquette. Live at Yoshi’s Oakland,CA October.05.1996 (First Set) EX – AUD 2020 Original Remaster 78 min 1. Sling and Arrows 2. Midnight Voyage 3. African Skies 4. Naked Soul 5. Nothing Personal Michael Brecker – Tenor Saxophone Joey Calderazzo – Piano James Genus – Bass Jeff Tain Watts – Drums