Claus Ogerman Featuring Michael Brecker (1991)

I usually enjoy the arranging work of Claus Ogerman, the playing of Michael Brecker, and the production skills of Tommy LiPuma. Plus, the session crew here is an all-star cast. Sadly, the writing here is so meandering and bland that the resultant whole is nowhere near the sum of its parts. In the words of one reviewer: "The more I listen the less I hear."

Press of the time:

• CashBox: "Brecker has meaty solos"
• DownBeat (★★★): "All told, an agreeable album."

Music from the album was nominated for two Grammy awards:

1. The whole album was nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance, losing to the song Sassy from The Manhattan Transfer album The Offbeat Of Avenues.
2. Track one, Corfu, was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition, losing to the tune, Basque, written by Elton John and performed by flautist James Galway. It is definitely the best track on the album.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums: #13
• CashBox Contemporary Jazz: #12

Tracks:

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: The first two times I spun this disc, I fell asleep while it was playing. Not a good first impression, to be sure.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Michael Brecker - Nearness Of You: The Ballad Book (2001)
Michael Brecker - Don't Try This At Home (1988)
The Brecker Brothers - Straphangin' (1981)