The Manhattan Transfer - The Manhattan Transfer

Styles:  Vocal Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:38
Size: 82,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:05)  1. Tuxedo Junction
(2:28)  2. Sweet Talking Guy
(3:13)  3. Operator
(3:30)  4. Candy
(3:00)  5. Gloria
(2:57)  6. Clap Your Hands
(2:54)  7. That Cat Is High
(3:33)  8. You Can Depend On Me
(2:24)  9. Blue Champagne
(2:47) 10. Java Jive
(3:08) 11. Occapella
(2:35) 12. Heart's Desire

Riding a wave of nostalgia in the '70s, the Manhattan Transfer resurrected jazz trends from boogie-woogie to bop to vocalese in a slick, slightly commercial setting that balanced the group's close harmonies. Originally formed in 1969, the quartet recorded several albums of jazz standards as well as much material closer to R&B/pop. Still, they were easily the most popular jazz vocal group of their era, and the most talented of any since the heyday of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross during the early '60s.  When the group was formed in the late '60s, however, the Manhattan Transfer was a hippie cornball act similar to the Lovin' Spoonful or Spanky & Our Gang. The lone LP that appeared from the original lineup leader Gene Pistilli plus Tim Hauser, Erin Dickins, Marty Nelson, and Pat Rosalia was Jukin', assembled by Capitol. An odd and hardly successful satire record, it was the last appearance on a Manhattan Transfer album for all of the above except Hauser.  After Hauser met vocalists Laurel Masse and Janis Siegel in 1972, the trio re-formed the Manhattan Transfer later that year with the addition of Alan Paul. 

The group became popular after appearances at a few New York hotspots and recorded their own debut, an eponymous LP recorded with help from the jazz world (including Zoot Sims, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, and Mel Davis). Featuring vocalese covers of "Java Jive" and "Tuxedo Junction" as well as a Top 40 hit in the aggressive gospel tune "Operator," the album rejuvenated the field of vocalese (dormant since the mid-'60s) and made the quartet stars in the jazz community across Europe as well as America. The Manhattan Transfer's next two albums, Coming Out and Pastiche, minimized the jazz content in favor of covers from around the music community, from Nashville to Los Angeles to Motown. A single from Coming Out, the ballad "Chanson d'Amour," hit number one in Britain. Though Masse left in 1979 for a solo career, Cheryl Bentyne proved a capable replacement, and that same year, Extensions introduced their best-known song, "Birdland," the ode to bop written by Weather Report several years earlier. Throughout the 1980s, the group balanced retreads from all aspects of American song. The 1981 LP Mecca for Moderns gained the Manhattan Transfer their first American Top Ten hit, with a cover of the Ad Libs' 1965 girl group classic "The Boy from New York City," but also included a version of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" and a surreal, wordless tribute (?) named "Kafka." (The album also earned the Manhattan Transfer honors as the first artist to receive Grammys in both the pop and jazz categories in the same year.) 

The production on virtually all was susceptible to '80s slickness, and though the group harmonies were wonderful, all but the most open of listeners had trouble digesting the sheer variety of material. The group's 1985 tribute to vocal pioneer Jon Hendricks, titled Vocalese, marked a shift in the Manhattan Transfer's focus. Subsequent works managed to keep the concepts down to one per album, and the results were more consistent. Such records as 1987's Brasil, 1994's Tubby the Tuba (a children's record), 1995's Tonin' ('60s R&B), and 1997's Swing (pre-war swing) may not have found the group at their performance peak, but were much more easily understandable for what they were. The group stayed very active and concept-heavy during the 2000s, beginning with a tribute to Louis Armstrong for 2000's The Spirit of St. Louis. They included a pair of Rufus Wainwright songs among the jazz material on 2004's Vibrate, and released An Acapella Christmas the following year. The Symphony Sessions followed in 2006, offering re-recordings of some of their best-known songs with orchestral arrangements. In 2009, the Transfer saluted one of the biggest names in jazz with The Chick Corea Songbook, and featured contributions from Corea, Airto Moreira, Christian McBride, and Ronnie Cuber, among others. During the early 2010s, the group focused more on performing, although both Bentyne and Hauser were forced to find temporary replacements during medical procedures. After spinal surgery in 2013, Hauser returned to the group, but then died suddenly from cardiac arrest in October 2014. ~ John Bush http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-manhattan-transfer-mn0000674749/biography

Personnel: Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser- vocals

The Manhattan Transfer

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Manhattan Transfer - Boy From New York City And Other Hits

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:39
Size: 99,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:41)  1. Boy From New York City
(2:48)  2. Java Jive
(3:00)  3. Gloria
(2:57)  4. Helpless
(3:09)  5. Tuxedo Junction
(6:09)  6. Twilight Zone/ Twilight Tone
(5:09)  7. Ray's Rockhouse
(5:03)  8. Mystery
(4:38)  9. Smile Again
(6:01) 10. Birdland

Boy from New York City & Other Hits is a budget-priced collection that features ten original recordings from the popular, kitschy East Coast vocal group Manhattan Transfer. For most listeners, the compilation's namesake will be the only familiar hit, but "Tuxedo Junction," the old Mills Brothers standard "Java Jive," and the ultra-weird "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone" are decent examples of the group's signature modern vocalese, jazz-pop sound. 

Fans looking for more of a definitive product should hunt down Rhino's two-disc Anthology: Down in Birdland or the less intimidating single-disc Very Best of the Manhattan Transfer. ~ James Christopler Monge  http://www.allmusic.com/album/boy-from-new-york-city-other-hits-mw0000066050

The Manhattan Transfer: Cheryl Bentyne , Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé, Alan Paul, Tim Hauser.

Boy From New York City And Other Hits

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Tim Hauser - Love Stories

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:00
Size: 108,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:24)  1. Misty Roses
(2:53)  2. The More I See You
(3:08)  3. Prisoner Of Love
(5:04)  4. Heartstrings
(3:57)  5. Nina Never Knew
(3:56)  6. (Paul Desmond's) MY Funny Valentine
(4:55)  7. Love Wise
(3:29)  8. I Didn't Know Ther Were Having A Spring This Year
(5:41)  9. My Little Brown Book
(3:21) 10. Two Cigarettes In The Dark
(2:28) 11. I'm Just A Fool
(3:38) 12. She's Funny That Way

In 1972, a Troy, NY-born, Jersey Shore-raised bass singer named Tim Hauser formed the second and final incarnation of the jazz-swing, all-vocal quartet the world knows today as the Manhattan Transfer (“Boy From New York City,” “Mystery,” “Spice Of Life”). He’s seen fellow members branch off with their own solo CDs through the years. But he never felt a need to do so himself  until his 2007 release in Japan and now, re-released in America. “Love Stories” brings out the now L.A.-based Hauser’s softer, romantic side with 12 known and little-known standards and gems: “The More I See You,” Paul Desmond’s “My Funny Valentine,” “I’m Just A Fool,” and of special note, “She’s Funny That Way,” a 1928 Charles N. Daniels/Richard A. Whiting tune Frank Sinatra put his fine stamp on, done exceptionally well in this updated recording.

Hauser’s girlfriend Barb Sennet Wilson, a graphic artist/music manager, recently put together the artwork for the repackaged CD and especially loves to play a personal favorite, "She's Funny That Way," over and over again, as it truly speaks to her and reminds her of her own love story. And isn't that the point of all love songs? It's easy to find your own love story in any one of these 12 tracks and completely relate.  Known for his fine attention to detail, from the concept and image to the content and promotion, Hauser wisely worked with some pretty famous names (Frankie Valli, Dennis Wilson, Kenny Rankin) in the industry to shape the final, compelling outcome in this, his first solo album. Hopefully not his last. http://www.examiner.com/article/manhattan-transfer-s-tim-hauser-releases-love-stories-for-american-audiences

Love Stories

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The Manhattan Transfer - The Best Of The Manhattan Transfer

Styles: Vocal Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:25
Size: 107,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. Tuxedo Junction
(3:40)  2. Boy From New York City
(3:56)  3. Twilight Zone
(4:27)  4. Body And Soul
(3:27)  5. Candy
(3:49)  6. Four Brothers
(5:59)  7. Birdland
(2:58)  8. Gloria
(2:21)  9. Trickle Trickle
(3:12) 10. Operator
(2:46) 11. Java Jive
(3:47) 12. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
(2:55) 13. Chanson D'Armour

There's no annotation to speak of on this 12-track collection, but little is needed, as this particular group's work speaks for itself. This is a smooth and impressive cross-section of the renowned vocal group's work across the first six years of its successful "reincarnation" nothing of the original late-'60s quartet is here, apart from the newer group's successful reworking of "Java Jive" near the end of the disc. But basically this album moves from strength to strength, in something of a jumble in terms of original release order the live "Tuxedo Junction," the hit single "Boy from New York City," their stylized homage to Marius Constant's (not Bernard Herrmann, as erroneously listed on the composer's credit) "Twilight Zone" theme, the soaring "Body and Soul," the doo wop homage "Gloria," etc. There are no personnel or detailed recording data, but the release dates and original album information make it easy for anyone who wants more of what they hear to track down the original Atlantic albums and CDs. ~ Bruce Eder  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-the-manhattan-transfer-mw0000194748

Manhattan Transfer: Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, Laurel Masse, Cheryl Bentyne (vocals).

The Best Of The Manhattan Transfer

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The Manhattan Transfer - Live

Styles: Vocal Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1978
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:21
Size: 138,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:18)  1. That Cat Is High
(3:26)  2. Snootie Little Cutie
(4:03)  3. Four Brothers
(3:43)  4. On A Little Street In Singapore
(3:02)  5. Java Jive
(3:25)  6. Walk In Love
(2:39)  7. Chanson D'Amour
(3:27)  8. Speak Up Mambo (Cuentame)
(1:40)  9. 15 Minute Intermission
(4:18) 10. In The Dark
(4:55) 11. Je Voulais (Te Dire Que Je T'Attends)
(0:42) 12. Sunday
(3:39) 13. Candy
(1:56) 14. Well, Well, Well
(4:10) 15. Freddy Morris Monologue / Bacon Fat
(3:38) 16. Turn Me Loose
(3:55) 17. Operator
(3:17) 18. Tuxedo Junction

The Manhattan Transfer was recorded at Manchester (23rd April 1978), Bristol (28th April 1978), and Hammersmith Odeon, London (2nd May 1978). The album was produced by Tim Hauser and Janis Siegel. For many years, this album had the distinction of being the only Manhattan Transfer album not to be released on CD… but finally Wounded Bird Records (WOU-540) released it in the spring of 2005. Interestingly, when asked for the group’s comments on this album, Janis and Alan had something very similar to say about it. Janis: “Worst album cover in history (with possible exceptions of ‘Coming Out’ and ‘Mecca’)” Alan: “Wins the award for worst album cover.” There are actually two covers to the album, one being an actual photo of the group that is a silhouette, and the other one is a “cartoonish” rendition of a similar pose. Alan says that the album “was never released in the United States. The first printing is a collector’s item.” 

The version with the “photo” cover was released by Mobile Fidelity Sounds Labs as an “Original Master Recording”. It’s a great album that captures the essence of The Manhattan Transfer during that time: The group was riding a wave of success and had become very popular in Europe, and the enthusiasm is evident in their performance. “The album was recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon,” recalls Alan. The performance captures numbers by L Dorado Caddy and Guido Panzini. It’s also the last album made with Laurel Massé. Produced by Tim and Janis, it was recorded in late April/early May of 1978. Janis was truly dedicated to her producing duties, as she recalls “I co-produced and was in the hospital for emergency surgery remember listening to mixes and taking notes up until the time they wheeled me in the O.R.” http://manhattantransfer.net/discography/the-manhattan-transfer-live/

The Manhattan Transfer: Cheryl Bentyne , Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, Tim Hauser (vocals).

Personnel:  Bass – Michael Schnoebelen; Contractor – David Katz; Drums – Peter Johnson; Guitar – Wayne Johnson; Keyboards – Dave Wallace; Saxophone – Derek Grossmith, Eddie Mordue, Keith Bird, Stan Sultzman; Trombone – Cliff Hardie, David Horler; Trombone [Bass] – Geoff Perkins;  Trumpet – Bobby Haughey, Derek Watkins, Ronnie Hughes, Tony Fisher

Live

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Manhattan Transfer - Couldn't Be Hotter

Styles: Vocal Jazz, Swing
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:30
Size: 178,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. Old Man Mose
(3:42)  2. Sing Moten's Swing
(3:06)  3. A-Tisket, A-Tasket
(3:41)  4. Sugar (That Sugar Baby O'Mine)
(5:38)  5. Up A Lazy River
(5:32)  6. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
(4:32)  7. Stars Fell On Alabama
(5:03)  8. Gone Fishin'
(5:29)  9. Blue Again
(7:51) 10. Clouds (Adapted from 'Nuages')
(3:08) 11. Stompin' At Mahogany Hall
(6:43) 12. Nothing Could Be Hotter Than That
(3:14) 13. It's Good Enough To Keep
(4:19) 14. Don't Let Go
(4:15) 15. Twilight Zone / Twilight Tone
(8:25) 16. My Foolish Heart

Last year the Manhattan Transfer made its Telarc debut with the live Couldn't Be Hotter. Terrific as the disc was, it turns out the title was merely prescient of the follow-up studio release Vibrate, the group's first in four years. Drawing on all of Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne's individual and collective talents, and echoing such eclectically brilliant group accomplishments as Swing, Bop Doo-Wopp, Vocalese, Tonin' and Pastiche (which, though it predates Bentyne's arrival in 1979, remains classic MT), Vibrate can best be described as a triumphant "greatest skills" collection.

The opener, Brenda Russell's "Walkin' in N.Y.," recalls the breezy retro sophistication of the Transfer's long-ago "Tuxedo Junction" days. It's followed by Rufus Wainwright's cheekily romantic "Greek Song," which, with its mixed Asian and European accents, is strongly reminiscent of the pre-Bentyne Transfer's dazzling, cross-cultural treatment of "On a Little Street in Singapore" on Pastiche. The cunning title track, another Wainwright delight, follows, blending an old-fashioned tango with a conventional tale of heartbreak and longing, and then twisting both in the chords of modern contrivances. "Doodlin'" is yet another fine example of the Transfer's ability to channel the tightly choreographed vivacity of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross while making the tune distinctly its own. Their creamy "Embraceable You," dripping in strings, is gorgeously reminiscent of the Tommy Dorsey days of the Pied Pipers; "I Met Him on a Sunday" infuses the Shirelles' hit with plenty of rib-sticking N'awlins gumption; and "First Ascent," cowritten by Alan Paul (with Billy Hulting and Bob Mair) and set to a deliciously cacophonous Afro-Latin rhythm, is an homage to creative inspiration that is itself an inspired creation. Then there's "The New JuJu Man," based on Miles Davis' "Tutu," which shows off these four vocalese masters at their most imaginatively incendiary. Put 'em all together and, indeed, the Transfer couldn't be hotter. ~ Christopher Loudon  http://jazztimes.com/articles/15114-couldn-t-be-hotter-manhattan-transfer

Manhattan Transfer: Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser (vocals)
Personnel: Wayne Johnson (guitar); Larry Klimas (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lew Soloff (trumpet); Yaron Gershovsky (keyboards); Tom Brechtlein (drums).

Couldn't Be Hotter

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Erin Dickins - Java Jive

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:52
Size: 102.7 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:03] 1. I Just Found Out About Love
[3:21] 2. Je Cherche Un Homme
[2:55] 3. Java Jive
[4:50] 4. Nice Girls Don't Stay For Breakfast
[2:57] 5. Tain't What You Do
[3:32] 6. Walkin' With Your Barefeet On
[4:07] 7. Long Ago And Far Away
[3:27] 8. Stayin' Is The Only Way To Go
[3:35] 9. Can't We Be Friends
[3:27] 10. Loads Of Love
[5:21] 11. I Must Have That Man
[4:12] 12. Sometimes I'm Happy

As an award winning jazz vocalist and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, Erin Dickins has enjoyed a remarkable career on stage and in the recording studio. After five years singing ensemble music with The Manhattan Transfer, she expanded her musical horizons, emerging as one of the top studio singers in New York. Dickins performed, toured and recorded with many notable artists including Leonard Cohen, Bette Midler, James Taylor, The Talking Heads, James Brown, Barry Manilow, Jaco Pastorius and Ashford & Simpson, to name but a few. Dickins continues to perform and record, enchanting audiences throughout the world.

Dickins returns to her roots with a remake of the original Ink Spots’ hit, which she first recorded on the Manhattan Transfer album Jukin’. As title track, Java Jive will anchor the new release and will feature backing vocals by longtime friends Tim Hauser, Marty Nelson and Gene Pistill, the three male vocalists from the original Manhattan Transfer.

Dickins’ album was carefully crafted over a two-year period by a group of renowned musicians. Java Jive is produced by Jesse Frederick, and features pianist/arranger Rob Mounsey, trumpeter Barry Danielian and bassist David Finck. Dickins was awarded the prestigious Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in 2012.

Java Jive

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