Randy Brecker: The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

George Whitty (kys)
Rodney Holmes (d)
Adam Rogers (g)
Ada Rovatti (ts)
Randy Brecker (t, flug)
Mike Stern (g)
Dave Weckl (d)
Chris Minh Doky (b)
David Sanborn (s)
Will Lee (b)
Oli Rockberger (v, ky)
Dean Brown (g)
Jim Campagnola (bar s)

Label:

Moosicus

February/2014

Catalogue Number:

M12171

RecordDate:

date not stated

“Never look back” seemed one of Miles' more useful aphorisms. So you may question why Brecker would want to revive this once great band. The most fitting response is as a tribute to brother Mike. And in the gorgeous ‘Elegy For Mike’, with Brecker's crystalline tone and measured pace holding the emotions together (just), the album has its standout track. By contrast the aptly monickered ‘First Tune Of The Set’ is a tornado-paced funker recalling the Breckers' 1970/80s heyday. More dubious is Brecker's reprise of his sleazeball Randroid alter ego who wasn't part of the Brecker Bros format. Elsewhere Rovatti and Sanborn wisely avoid evoking Michael's sounds, but, like Stern, rip it up in their own way, the guitar man a riot on the dirt funk of ‘The Slag’ and Randy's wife sizzling on ‘Adina’. Fans will want to shell out especially as the accompanying live DVD covers classics such as ‘Some Skunk Funk’. Others way wish to investigate earlier incarnations of this legendary outfit.

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