Vibrate

After over 30 years of performing jazz-driven vocalese and close harmony pop music both in the studio and on tour, The Manhattan Transfer have produced another CD, which is typical in its eclectic mix of genres but atypical in the almost total lack of vitality or excitement throughout. Indeed, there are no accappella tracks, which are one of the hallmarks of the ensemble, and the melodies are often obfuscated by impermeable and discordant layering of voices such as in Doodling, First Ascent and The Twelfth. The alluring line-up of supporting instrumentalists such as Steve Hass and Lew Soloff is an attraction to this CD, but unfortunately the tendency to over-produce each song with a range of percussion, cellos, piano and any other sound which comes to hand becomes intrusive, particularly during the likes of Greek Song. This album is a largely dismal offering in which the singers appear to be going through the motions, but there are two redeeming tracks, namely the lyrical Feel Flows and also The New Juju Man in which Cheryl Bentyne weaves an exquisite pattern of sound, showpiecing every tone and timbre of her versatile voice in the traditions of vocalese while doing ample justice to Miles Davis' original version. If you buy Vibrate for no other reason, buy it for The New Juju Man and your faith in The Manhattan Transfer will be restored.

Sono finiti i tempi d'oro di questo grande gruppo. Meglio riascoltarsi i vinili dei primi 3 album.A parte questo, il suono di questo SACD non brilla per apertura di gamma.

Leur plus mauvais CD - à transférer - ennuyeux et indigeste, pourtant ils en ont faits d'excellents. Mauvais enregistrement (techniquement) - harmonisations malheureuses (avec des erreurs de structure), voix fatiguées - à oublier

～企画自体は悪くないと思う。少なくとも 30 年を超えるマントランの活動にふさわしい内容にはなっていると思う。…が、星を一つ落としたのはディレクティングの甘さに対して。思わず耳を疑ったスカスカのアレンジとオーケストレーションには、どうにも許容し難い安易さを感じさせられる。まぁ、2004/11/26 発売のミニアルバム "An Acapella Chiristmas"～～ の制作の方に、かなりのパワーを食われていたせいだとも思うのだが。とはいえ、2004 年はこの二つのアルバムで、マントランエンスーにとって実り多い年であったことは間違いありませんが。～

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.

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?

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'.[...]

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.

Did not like the songs or the arrangements at all!! They of course have amazing voices.

Another great album from the great Manhattan Transfer. Jazzy music with a nice vibe indeed!

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.

Very Good ! Thanx !

I already have all of their vinyls and want to replace them with CD's and add any new albums on CD.I've seen them live many times and, one night at the Keswick, the power went out . Like true performers, they sang in the dark in acapella.

A++++