record collection revisited: Randy & Michael Brecker "Some Skunk Funk": Live at Leverkusener Jazztage

The Brecker brothers, (trumpeter Randy Brecker, and his late brother, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker),were another group in a wave of assorted acts who took jazz fusion in a modern direction in the '80s and '90s while also sticking to hard bop and bop jazz roots.  Their 2005 released live record "Some Skunk Funk" is a great illustration of this.  The band they assembled has some notable players in addition to the Breckers themselves.  It also includes:

Jim Beard: keyboards (who currently plays keys with Steely Dan)
Will Lee: electric bass (Lee is bassist for David Letterman's house band)
Peter Erskine: drums (Erskine played drums with Weather Report)
Koji Paul Shigihara: electric guitar solos

There is some wicked material on this album which borders the lines of fusion and big band.  The horns on this record (not just Randy and Michael, but the whole horn section) are amazing!  So is the rhythm section.  Each song has a really tight groove and the musicians are playing at their best on the whole thing.  However, my favorite cut on this record is the last one called "Song For Barry", a tribute to a jazz trombone player.  However, I can't seem to find out who it is as no one with the name of Barry comes up on lists of great jazz trombonists that I've been looking for.

Track listing

1. Some Skunk Funk
2. Sponge
3. Shanghigh
4. Wayne Out
5. And Then She Wept
6. Strap-Hangin'
7. Let It Go
8. Freefall
9. Levitate
10. Song For Barry

Here is the video for "Song For Barry" which doesn't have as dramatic a conclusion as the record version.  But, you will notice Michael Brecker playing a colorful, flute like instrument.  This is an EWI or (electronic wind instrument).  It is a synthesizer that is fingered like a saxophone and makes synthesizer sounds when the player blows over the reed.

Also, in the video, well known jazz fusion guitarist Mike Stern is playing with the band.  He worked with the Brecker brothers during the 1980s and like part of the '90s as well.  The video will follow in a separate post.