Manhattan Transfer Pastiche CD

Principally recorded at Studio 55, Los Angeles, California between December 1976 and September 1977. Originally released on Atlantic (19163).

The dictionary definition of "pastiche" is an artistic composition imitating or caricaturing previous works, so given the lack of homegrown material here, it is hard to say what the Manhattan Transfer meant by this title. In any case, this assortment of odds and ends from various eras in American music -- recorded in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville and Australia -- finds the Transfer casting its lines in search of a direction that it had yet to find. But there are signs that they were getting close. The Transfer's stunning rendition of "Four Brothers," with composer Jimmy Giuffre present in the sax section, marks the beginning of their championing of the words of Jon Hendricks and placed the Transfer in position to claim the long-vacant throne of group vocalese. Otherwise, there are curiosities like a quasi-C&W-tinted rendition of "Love for Sale" staffed by some of Nashville's finest...and a few fair covers of rock and R&B numbers... ~ Richard S. Ginell

The dictionary definition of "pastiche" is an artistic composition imitating or caricaturing previous works, so given the lack of home-grown material here, it is hard to say what the Manhattan Transfer meant by this title. In any case, this assortment of odds and ends from various eras in American music -- recorded in

This 1978 release is chock full of classic MT harmony. Like so many great recordings of theirs, it mixes vocal jazz with doo-wop and pop. Highlights include an amazing, be-bopping "Four Brothers" vocalese work by Jon Hendricks; a unique country spin on Cole Porter's "Love For Sale," and smooth jazz "On A Little Street in Singapore." This was the last recording to include founding member Laurel Masse, who went on to pursue a solo career.

Additional personnel includes: Ira Newborn, Jay Graydon, Ben Benay, Wayne Johnson (guitar); Buddy Emmons (steel guitar); Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Gene Goe, Don Rader (trumpet); Garnett Brown, Vince Fanuele, Jack Redmond, Britt Woodman (trombone); Jon Mayer (piano, electric piano); David Foster (piano); David Wallace (piano, harpsichord, calliope, keyboards); Mike Boddiker (synthesizers); Andy Muson (bass); Art Rodriguez, Steve Gadd, Jim Gordon, Steven Schaeffer, Jeff Porcaro, Peter Johnson (drums); Randy Brecker, Jimmy Giuffre, Lee Konitz, Michael Omartian, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Cohn.

Additional guest arists: David Foster (piano); Don Grolnick (Fender Rhodes).

Engineers: Larry Emerine, Howard Steele, Phil Kaye.

Personnel: Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé, Alan Paul, Tim Hauser (vocals); Ira Newborn (guitar, acoustic guitar); Steve Cropper (guitar, electric guitar); Jay Graydon (guitar, synthesizer); Dick Frank, Pete Wade, Wayne Johnson , Ben Benay (guitar); Buddy Emmons (steel guitar); Jeanne Ashby (harp); Johnny Gimble, Shorty Lavender (violin, fiddle); Herbert Hester (fiddle); Gene Page (strings); Charlie McCoy (harmonica); Willie Schwartz, Don Menza, Jay Migliori, Joe Roccisano, Pete Christlieb (reeds); Louis del Gatto, Jimmy Giuffre, Al Cohn, Lee Konitz (saxophone); Don Roberts (baritone saxophone, wind); Chuck Findley, Don Rader, Irwin "Marky" Markowitz, Gene Goe, Alan Rubin, Marvin Stamm, Oscar Brashear, Randy Brecker (trumpet); Garnett Brown, Herbie Green, Urbie Green, Wayne Andre, Vincent Fanuele, David Taylor , Jack Redmond, Britt Woodman (trombone); Jon Mayer (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); David Wallace (piano, harpsichord, calliope, keyboards); Booker T. Jones (piano, organ, keyboards); Dave Frishberg, Tom Hensley, David Foster (piano, keyboards); John Barnes , Richard Tee (piano); Don Grolnick (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Victor Feldman (keyboards, percussion); Mike Boddiker, Michael Boddicker, Michael Omartian, Mike Melvoin (keyboards); Jeff Porcaro, Jim Gordon , Pete Johnson , Art Rodriguez, Steve Gadd , Steve Schaeffer, Willie HallJazziz (9/95, p.37) - "...PASTICHE is populated by Siegel's breakout bop and scats, and it skips across a musical landscape from big bands to country western to vintage swing..."