Michael Brecker - Don't Try This At Home (1988)

I enjoy most of Brecker's solo work as well as his work with Brecker Bros. and Steps Ahead. I also enjoyed the 1987 self-titled album that immediately preceded Don't Try This At Home. I've spent some time with this album and ultimately decided it's just not for me. Rest assured it's the material, not the performances.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "a gritty part-fusion, part-hard bop date with numerous heavyweight guests"
• Billboard: "repertoire is versatile; all-star cast includes Herbie Hancock, Peter Erskine, Jack DeJohnette..."
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★½
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★½

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #2
• CashBox Jazz: #3

Tracks: There's a couple of tracks to my liking - the more traditional Suspone (written and featuring guitarist Mike Stern) and Talking To Myself.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Nearness Of You: The Ballad Book (2001)