The Manhattan Transfer: The Offbeat of Avenue (1991)

Other than a recreation of the Miles Davis/Gil Evans recording of "Blues for Pablo" (with trumpeter Mark Isham filling in for Miles), this program by the Manhattan Transfer is completely outside of jazz. It is doubtful if Sarah Vaughan would have much enjoyed "Sassy" (due to the reliance on electronic rhythms) or the poppish material heard throughout the date, despite the talents of the singers. Other than "10 Minutes Till the Savages Come" and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band's guest appearance on "Blue Serenade," the set is disappointingly forgettable. - AMG

Tracklist:
1 The Offbeat of Avenues - Bentyne, Freeman, Prince 4:55
2 Sassy - Bentyne, Bodine, Siegel 4:49
3 10 Minutes Till the Savages Come - Lorber, Siegel, Walsh 3:58
4 What Goes Around Comes Around - Paul, Pierce 4:51
5 Blue Serenade - Hauser, Parks 3:40
6 Gentleman with a Family - Bentyne, Jordan, OBrien 4:51
7 Women in Love - Batteau, Freeman 6:19
8 A World Apart - McDonald, Pack, Siegel 5:01
9 Confide in Me - Fagen 4:11
10 Quietude (Encuentro de Animales) - T Jonkey, Paul 6:13
11 Blues for Pablo - Evans, Hendricks 6:53
Offbeat of Avenues
Rapidshare / Hotfile @ 320K

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Live Mardi Gras in Montreux (1985)

Not at the same level as their debut (My Feet Can't Fail Me Now), the second outing by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (taken from a couple sets performed at the 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival), Live: Mardi Gras in Montreux is overly loose in spots and has some lightweight material that was better heard live than on record. The party music does have its strong moments, the mightily sousaphone playing of Kirk Joseph (who simulates an electric bass) pushes the group and the joy of the band is not to be denied, but "The Flintstones Meets the President" is only worth hearing once. -- Allmusic.com

Buy at Amazon.com

Live Mardi Gras in Montreux (RS) @ 320K

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Jelly (1993)

On their first album devoted to a single jazz composer, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band has made an inspired choice in their hometown New Orleans hero, Jelly Roll Morton. You might think a brass band might choose a horn player like Louis Armstrong or Sidney Bechet instead, for Morton was a pianist, and the Dozen don't carry keyboards or any other chording instrument. Armstrong and Bechet made their mark as soloists, however, while Morton is best remembered as a composer and band arranger, and the Dirty Dozen are not a soloist's vehicle; they represent the welcome revival of tight band arrangements and ensemble improvisation. --Geoffrey Himes

Buy at Amazon.com
Official Website
Jelly

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band: My Feet Can't Fail Me Now (1984)

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band's My Feet Can't Fail Me Now is a rollicking, infectious set that captures the spirit of classic New Orleans R&B and jazz because it isn't enslaved to those traditions. The group is willing to play around and have fun, adding different rock, pop, and R&B influences to their sound. The result is a wonderful, unpredictable album that is as wild and rich as New Orleans itself.

Highly recommended!
My Feet Can't Fail Me Now