Product Description The Manhattan Transfer's first studio album in four years, Vibrate, explores the traditional and progressive sides of jazz, as well as various shades of Latin, world and pop music. "After 30-plus years,...these vocal veterans remain strong in voice, approaching every tune with casual confidence backed with a wisp of whimsy and playfulness.' - Singer. .com Some of the Transfer's best records have been themed, such as Brasil and Vocalese. However, their biggest commercial successes have come from albums like Extensions and Mecca for Moderns, recordings that highlighted the genre-hopping versatility of the vocal quartet and yielded big pop hits along with it. This album falls into the latter category. The previous five decades are harmonically represented throughout these 11 tracks, including traditional '40s vocal styling on "Embraceable You," a classic '50s doo-wop medley, and some Beach Boys-styled psychedelic '60s pop on "Feel Flows." They've always excelled at jazz, and do so here with lyrics by Jon Hendricks to melodies from Horace Silver and Marcus Miller. But it's the group's forays into the 21st century via songs by Brenda Russell and Rufus Wainwright that really stand out. --Mark Ruffin
D**T
A major disappointment
If you're looking for swinging music with the natural sound of a live concert, this album will disappoint. Robert Woods, erstwhile owner of Telarc, created what was, overall, the finest recording company that ever has existed in part because he sought to reproduce REAL sound in REAL environments. He produced this MT project, and it has "business decision" written all over it, not "musical decision." What you get here is another over miked, cut-and-pasted recording job indigenous to a technological-mad industry. Record some tracks here, record some tracks there. Doesn't matter where or when. Slip on the headphones and overdub until you drop. Slap all these tracks together and offer it to a gullible public that has grown up hearing nothing else and considers the sound man as one of the performing musicians. Sad. Looks as if Bob Woods employed too many rock 'n roll cooks in this project's kitchen. The MT, rather than standing in front of background instrumentalists, is immersed a rock 'n roll-style mishmash of sound. The included (and copious) program notes glow in admiration of each arrangement, but they are mostly ones that send me jumping to the next track in search of the swinging Manhattan Transfer I remember. The search was largely in vain. Only in the Doodlin' track did they come close.Where oh where has good sound gone?
Z**N
The best every vocal ensemble
As always, Manhattan Transfer delivers timeless music. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Lew Soloff played some trumpet tracks on this cd. This album offers a variety of good sounds. This will get repeated frequent plays.
J**.
Great CD by a Great Group!!
If you like the Manhattan Transfer, and I have for the past 35 years, you'll love their CD "Vibrate." There are two standards on the CD; Embraceable You and a medley of Come Softly to Me/I Met Him on a Sunday.In addition, there are cute ditties like Doodlin', Vibrate and The Greek Song.All the songs are delightful, with a smooth, harmonic blend of the groups two male and two female voices.Transfer the CD music to an MP3 player, and the sound is great for the gym, or laying in your back yard, just doodlin'.[...]
V**Z
Very Satisfying!
This album proves why the Transfers are still the planet's premiere vocal group!! Happy that they are back to their eclectic/variety album mode. from the esoteric tunes of Miles Davis to swing to vocalese to doo-wop to latin to contemporary tunes by Rufus Wainwright and Brenda Russell - this album has almost everything. Would've wanted a couple of R&B flavored tunes on this..... or even to be so daring as to visit the dance genre or acid jazz/smooth jazz sound once again (remember Mecca for Moderns and Extentions?)Janis, Tim, Cheryl and Alan - after all these years, I am still your number one fan!Just a note to Telarc - the major disappointment on this album was the photography, art direction , packaging and lay-out. For such a classy group, the CD's Front cover was definitely NOT flattering for the group.
M**D
Weird songs
Did not like the songs or the arrangements at all!! They of course have amazing voices.
G**N
Vibrate has a nice vibe.
Another great album from the great Manhattan Transfer. Jazzy music with a nice vibe indeed!
J**L
Great choice of music
The Manhattan Transfer has picked an eclectic group of songs, and performs them outstandingly! The album has a smooth, laid back feel that took me a little bit to warm up to, but now every time I listen I just sink into the groove and enjoy the journey. Every track is a gem.
T**I
Five Stars
Very Good ! Thanx !
TrustPilot
3 周前
2 周前
