BOBBY McFERRIN: "Spontaneous Inventions"

Original released on LP Blue Note BT 85110

(US, 1986)

Bobby McFerrin is heard in prime form throughout this date, which was the follow-up to his classic "The Voice". A few of the numbers are taken unaccompanied, and these include memorable renditions of "Thinkin' About Your Body," "I Hear Music," and "Mañana Iguana." Pianist Herbie Hancock duets with McFerrin on "Turtle Shoes"; "Another Night in Tunisia" (taken from the Manhattan Transfer's "Vocalese" album) features McFerrin with the vocal quartet and Jon Hendricks; soprano saxophonist Wayne Shorter interacts with the vocalist on "Walkin'"; and an eccentric "Beverly Hills Blues" has "assistance" from comedian Robin Williams. A continually intriguing release with plenty of wit from the innovative singer. (Scott Yanow in AllMusic)

MANHATTAN TRANSFER: "Jukin'"

Original released on LP Capitol ST-11405

(US, 1971)

This was the Manhattan Transfer before they become the Manhattan Transfer, an altogether different vocal group from which founder Tim Hauser was the sole holdover. Released by Capitol in the early 1970s, "Jukin'" is an accumulation of scraps recorded over a period of two years in New York and Nashville. Back in those days, the Transfer seemed to be one of several hippie groups (like Spanky and Our Gang and Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks) that looked at the past ironically with arched eyebrows, not like the later Transfer which affectionately celebrated old music at its face value. Hence the pure country treatment of "Fair and Tender Ladies," which has a strong whiff of condescension in the group's nasal accents; even the doo wop tribute "Guided Missiles" reeks of barely concealed contempt. Then as now, the Transfer were unpredictably eclectic in their tastes, while also very much aware of the then-current rock marketplace. Hauser's version of Fats Waller's "You're a Viper" bears some resemblance to the later Transfer manner, and one number, "Java Jive," appears in the same arrangement as the one the 1975 Transfer used, if rougher in vocal texture. For all of the careful production, there is a casual looseness about these tracks that is typical of its time, the heyday of the hippie - and as such, today's Transfer fans are in for a surprise if they want to check out the group's beginnings. (Richard Ginell in AllMusic)

MANHATTAN TRANSFER LIVE

Original released on LP Atlantic K 50540

(UK, May 1978)

This is a particularly interesting release because it features the 1978 version of Manhattan Transfer performing at three different concerts. This is how the ensemble sounded live when Laurel Masse was still in the lineup along with Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel and Alan Paul. The pacesetting vocal group (accompanied by a quintet that includes guitarist Wayne Johnson and Don Roberts on reeds) runs through 18 songs, many of which are quite brief. The mostly jazz-oriented program includes "That Cat Is High," "Four Brothers," "15 Minute Intermission," "Candy" and "Tuxedo Junction" and does a good job of summing up this version of the Manhattan Transfer. (Scott Yanow in AllMusic)