CD – DVD review: The Brecker Brothers – Live in Brussels 1994 – 2023: Video, Cover

This is a 1994 live item of the strongest jazz funk tube music brother, Brecker Brothers. At first glance, 1994 seems to be a delicate time, but it was the time when the masterpiece “Out of the Loop” was released, and the participating members of that album also participated in this live.

It’s the same concert, but it’s a CD and DVD coupling specification. You can easily enjoy the upgraded sound quality of the CD by remastering. The DVD is recorded with professional shots while having the old video quality. What’s more, in the master, the letter box size filled with black top and bottom, but the size was 4: 3, but the black top and bottom are cut out and resized to 16: 9 size for recording. However, the image quality with a slight blur is only a bonus. It is an item that you can mainly enjoy the high sound quality of the CD. There is no menu screen on the DVD, but the chapters are separated for each song.

The funk runs thick on this two-CD recording from a July 1980 performance in Hamburg, Germany, marking an especially exciting addition to The Brecker Brothers’ discography.

The US/EU Jazz & Blues Association (US/EU JBA): Who we are 2012 – 2023! Photo

Live in Brussels documents the most potent band coming out of the 1970s New York jazz-funk scene in a slamming performance that presents all six members—brothers Randy and Mike (1949–2007) Brecker on trumpet and tenor saxophone, guitarist Barry Finnerty, keyboardist Mark Gray, electric bassist Neil Jason and drummer Richie Morales—at the peak of their creative powers. In true Brecker Brothers fashion, this iteration of the iconic fusion ensemble plays with extreme energy, exacting precision and audacious derring-do as the musicians rip through tight, angular arrangements of familiar fare like “Strap Hangin’,” “Sponge,” “Inside Out” and “Some Skunk Funk.” Every single note—and there are lots of them to enjoy here—is imbued with purpose and sizzle.

Our US/EU Jazz-Blues Association Festivals 2023 with performances by international stars: Photos

The softer, soulful side of electric jazz comes through as well, most prominently on the Mike Brecker-penned “SONG FOR BARRY” and in mood-setting sections of “SLANG” and “SPHERICAL.” And when it comes time for the cats to solo, watch out: Each of these fearless improvisors will set ears ablaze and brains awhirl. It’s an adrenaline-fueled, electric adventure that will transport you back to a time of large, enthusiastic crowds in throbbing, sweaty venues, where the musicians on stage fed ravenously on good vibes emanating from a sea of humanity. Turn up the volume, close your eyes and prepare for a long, thrilling night with one of the most ass-kicking bands to ever play in concert. And pay close attention to the bold choices made by Mike Brecker during his nine-minute unaccompanied solo on “SOME SKUNK FUNK.”

DISC 1 // CD / First Part

1. SLANG
2. SPHERICAL
3. HARPOON
4. THE NIGHTWALKER

DISC 2 // CD / Second Part

1. THE SOURCE
2. SONG FOR BARRY
Encore
3. Drum Solo
4. SOME SKUNK FUNK

DISC 3 // DVD

1. SLANG
2. SPHERICAL
3. HARPOON
4. THE NIGHTWALKER
5. THE SOURCE
6. SONG FOR BARRY
Encore
7. Drum Solo
8. SOME SKUNK FUNK

00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:45 – Slang 00:10:20 – Spherical 00:28:30 – Harpoon 00:46:20 – The Nightwalker 00:56:15 – The Source 01:03:30 – Song for Barry 01:27:05 – drum solo 01:33:30 – Some Skunk Funk

Randy Brecker – trumpet
Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone, EWI
Dean Brown – guitar
George Whitty – keyboards
James Genus – bass
Rodney Holmes – drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXy9b9yuHOA