Search - Michael Brecker :: Time Is of the Essence

The Best of Brecker

01/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Brecker has made a great career for himself late in life, and with records like this one and "Tales from the Hudson" he continues a great stretch. I feel like he is at his best when he is around musicians that really challenge and inspire him, and Pat Metheny and Larry Goldings, not to mention the three great drummers, certainly do that here. (the record in between "Two Blocks from the Edge" was considerably less interesting without a major soloist for him to share the load with - the piano player on that record, Joey Calderazzo, just does not seem up to the level of others that he has used like McCoy Tyner or Herbie Hancock). I love hearing Brecker in this organ setting! And Larry Goldings is unbelievable!"

Best since Tales from the Hudson

Shawn | 03/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great record. Anytime that Brecker teams up with Metheny, something special happens - and this goes all the way back to that classic record 80/81 which seems to be the record that Brecker discovered himself on. This record has the added value of Larry Golding's presence - a musician truly up to the challenge of hanging with Metheny and Brecker on their own level. Joey Calderazzo is seriously unable to do that which is why the last Two Blocks from the Edge was a considerably weaker effort. Calderazzo marred Tales from the Hudson as well, he is nothing more than a Herbie Hancock/Chick Corea wannabe who turns every solo into a tasteless display of chops. Brecker himself has a tendency to do this as well, but somehow when Metheny is around he encourages Brecker to go for the most musical choices rather than the most impressive technical ones. Metheny himself is as always a revelation here - he once again invents a new version of himself to fit the situation while sacrificing none of his exceptionally originality. Plus the guy just swings so hard, especially with Elvin Jones egging him on. Bill Stewart is also excellent on this record, only Tain Watts sounds a little stilted and forced here (but less so than on Two Blocks where he and Calderazzo really sounded more like talented music students than seasoned players - they seem to bring out the worst in each other). One other thing- the compositions on this record are excellent with Metheny's Timeline being an instant classic. Brecker should always play with musicians that are up to his level, like Metheny, Dejohnette, Holland, Jones, etc. Whenever he messes around with less talented players like Calderazzo, Stern, etc. he goes down to their level rather than raising them up to his. But he is an awesome musician no matter who he plays with - he just seems to thrive on inspriation."

A real smoker!

Shawn | IL United States | 09/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is the real deal.



Brecker leads the charge, this time with Larry Goldings on organ, and familiar sideman Metheny on guitar. In my opinion, they hit the ball out of the park on this one.



This time, the focus is really on the music. Often, I think Brecker gets caught up in demonstrating the state of the Tenor (Delta City Blues, My One and Only Love) as only he can. For this one, it's an all hands on deck team effort. The arrangements are great, but it's the hard driving swing that makes this record groove. I think it's absolutely one of Brecker's finest efforts. And check out the drummers on this one. Theey get a chance to really shine, where the songs are well suited to their individual strengths.



Elvin Jones plays like a god, providing herculean drive and swing as always. But, Stewart and Watts match his intensity (as much as anyone else could.)



Goldings is terrific here, and Metheny plays fine as usual. But he also shows a little extra edge, which is always nice.



At the time this came out, I remember a quote by Brecker about how he wore out a few copies of Unity by Larry Young, which featured Joe Henderson's fine Tenor playing matched with Young's organ. With Time of the Essence, Brecker (whether intentional or not) creates a fine tribute to Youngs landmark recording. On Time is of the Essence, Brecker and company created their own matserpiece worthy of comparison.



Shawn"