"Crossroads" 20 year anniversary

I heard Eric Marienthal play live in Auckland in September 2009. I was expecting to hear a professional, experienced saxophonist - what I heard was so much more. His playing was both articulate and fluid with a range that I couldn't quite believe for an alto sax...and moreover what a humble, personable musician. Backed by the Rodger Fox big band, the evening was my big musical surprise of the year. Riveting big band charts - I think at least two from the Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. An amazing evening and exemplary display of sax mastery.

What's this got to do with a review of Crossroads some 20 years before? Well quite honestly for many years I had dismissed Eric Marienthal as the smooth jazz influence that had weakened Chick's Elektric Band offerings. The disastrous "Light years" album was such a disappointment after their debut album that I gave up on Chick for a while. 

The first inklings that I had that Eric was far more than the musician on many commercial smooth jazz recordings was when first watching him on the Chick Corea Elektric Band Live in Montreux 2004 DVD. Wow, no soprano noodling at all but hard bebop lines to support the tracks 'C.T.A', 'Got a match', 'Spain' and 'Blue Miles'. This time it was the noodling of Gambale's guitar that seemed to interfere and Eric was masterful.

So there is a dilemma - who is the real Eric? I like to think after hearing Eric live that it's when he is playing live that the real Eric is heard. Yes, he always has a sweet tone, but live he rips it up and is adventurous. On the 20th anniversary of 'Crossroads' I can happily say that this album still sounds fresh and impeccably well-recorded...and that Eric blows away the cobwebs of most of his other solo albums. Why then does this studio album sound live? Simply because the musos played it live in front of each other when recording and the spontaneity shines though.

It does help that the best musicians in the world were there to play along with Eric. What an incredible lineup. John Patitucci is producer and the bassist through out. This is a drummers album of note - as has been pointed out by other reviewers; if you are partial to flat-out fusion drumming - then try and get a copy of 'Crossroads'. Terri Lyne Carrington is monstrous on the first track and plays like I'd imagine Weckl might have on a good day! Six of the ten tracks are played by the drum master Vinnie Colaiuta, who gets many opportunities to play out and even solo. Weckl plays on a track and Terri closes out. Keyboardists are the prolific Russell Ferrante and Chick Corea on three tracks. With three Ferrante compositions and one from Chick himself, no wonder this sounds like a mixture of an aggressive Yellowjackets and Elektric band album.

Yes, there are ballads and some pretty melodies but all eventually romping away to inventive, exciting compositions with wonderful playing by all. If you haven't heard Eric hit the high notes, the big notes and the adventurous lines, then this is the album to get.

Brecker Big Band magic "Some Skunk Funk" DVD review

I have always had a weakness for powerful rock and fusion concerts - I'm talking everything from Dream Theater, Tribal Tech to Chick Corea and Mike Stern. Big bands have never really featured as my favourite cup of tea. Yes, I have a few big band albums but generally wouldn't go out of my way to purchase new albums. This hopefully puts into context my next statement: "Some Skunk Funk" Live at Leverkusener Jazztage is the best live DVD I have in my 50 plus DVD concert collection. I know why I play this DVD again and again. The musicianship is outstanding, the compositions stirring and exciting, the recording brilliant - both visuals and audio.


Wow, this is better than what I'd ever have imagined. This kicks serious DTS system butt. Play this loudly and experience the glory of a big band in full flight. The all enveloping sound of the WDR Big Band (Cologne - Germany) conducted by Vince Mendoza has a world class reputation but when combined with the legends, Randy and Michael Brecker - then you know you are in for a joyous ride.


This concert won the Grammy Award 2007 for Best Large Jazz ensemble album and Best Instrumental solo. The concert was an 11 November 2003 celebration for Randy Brecker's music (although he uses mainly compositions from the Brecker Brothers songbook both early and reunion years). Randy has longtime friends Will Lee on bass, Jim Beard on piano and Peter Erskine on drums.


At first I was disappointed that dear brother Michael didn't play on every track - but this allows for an anticipation when he does join in. I must admit that I still get emotional when I see the brothers play with such synchronicity. Michael's passing has left a huge vaccuum so to hear him here playing at the peak of his career ripping into "Some Skunk Funk" and the finale "Song for Barry" is breath taking. I can only hope that there are still other stellar recordings of Michael playing live that are still to be released. If not, then this is also an historic recording.


There is so much to like about this DVD. The film editing is superb as the camera pans perfectly to catch an Erskine fill, or to see Mr Long thumb Lee popping and jumping on bass. These guys were sure energetic and enthusiastic that night! Randy commands on trumpet and grows stronger as the night progresses. I loved his exploratory solos that showed an edginess inspite of the pressure of the occasion. He humbly allows his brother to join in the limelight and the result is an incredible perfomance that finishes much too soon (70 precious minutes of sublime concert power).


My highest recommendation.