Manhattan Transfer

The Manhattan Transfer - Swing (1997)  Music

Posted by popsakov at Aug. 3, 2023
The Manhattan Transfer - Swing (1997)

The Manhattan Transfer - Swing (1997)
EAC Rip | FLAC (Img) + Cue + Log ~ 314 Mb | MP3 CBR320 ~ 109 Mb
Full Scans ~ 200 Mb | 00:44:55 | RAR 5% Recovery
Jazz, Swing, Vocalese | Atlantic #7567-83012-2

On this continually interesting CD, the Manhattan Transfer revisits tunes from the swing era, in some cases re-creating (through vocalese) specific recordings. Benny Goodman's 1935 version of "King Porter Stomp," Bennie Moten's 1932 recording of "Moten's Swing," Glenn Miller's "I Know Why," Charlie Barnet's "Skyliner," and Fletcher Henderson's exciting arrangement of "Down South Camp Meetin'" are among the many highlights. The vocals are superb (particularly Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne), although one wishes that the individual members had more of a chance to improvise within the style. The backup groups are different than one would expect, including the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, violinist Mark O'Connor (Stéphane Grappelli makes a special appearance on "Clouds"), and steel guitarist Buddy Emmons. Recommended.

The Manhattan Transfer - The Manhattan Transfer (1975)  Vinyl & HR

Posted by v3122 at Oct. 31, 2021
The Manhattan Transfer - The Manhattan Transfer (1975)

The Manhattan Transfer - The Manhattan Transfer (1975)
Vinyl Rip | 32-bit/384 kHz | WavPack(Tracks) > 3.04 Gb | Artwork(jpg) > 3.90 Mb
or 24-bit/192 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 1.30 Gb
or 24-bit/44.1 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 392 Mb
Atlantic, SD 18133 | US | Jazz

The Manhattan Transfer first came to the general public's attention as a retro act, a nostalgic throwback in a era consumed with nostalgia – the early/mid-'70s – and their debut Atlantic album, as well as their 1975 summer replacement TV series, catered unashamedly to that market. As a result, this record seemed old when it came out, and it still sounds more than a little sappy, especially when one considers the astonishing growth of the Transfer since…

The Manhattan Transfer - Extensions (1979)  Music

Posted by popsakov at Aug. 6, 2023
The Manhattan Transfer - Extensions (1979)

The Manhattan Transfer - Extensions (1979)
EAC Rip | FLAC (Img) + Cue + Log ~ 267 Mb | MP3 CBR320 ~ 135 Mb
Full Scans | 00:37:19 | RAR 5% Recovery
Vocal Jazz, Pop | Atlantic #7567-81565-2

Extensions was released on October 31, 1979 and debuted on Billboard’s Top Pop Album charts on December 8, 1979. Extensions began what Alan recalls as “a new chapter for the group.” Artistically and commercially, their fourth studio album was one of several new levels: It was the first one with Cheryl Bentyne, who had replaced Laurel Massé. Cheryl proved to be the perfect complement to the group’s already dynamic style and performance. It was also the first album that contained hits in both the jazz and pop categories. “Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone” went to #30 and “Trickle, Trickle” went to #73 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Overall, the album peaked at #55 on the Billboard Top LP’s chart. “A very exciting time,” Janis remembers.
The Manhattan Transfer - Anthology: Down In Birdland (1992) {Remastered}

The Manhattan Transfer - Anthology: Down In Birdland (1992) {Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC (Img) + Cue + Log ~ 978 Mb | MP3 CBR320 ~ 364 Mb
Full Scans ~ 107 Mb | 01:14:33 + 01:16:14 | RAR 5% Recovery
Vocal Jazz, Soul-Jazz, Big Band, Swing, Latin Jazz, Contemporary | Rhino Records #R2 71053

As the Manhattan Transfer went on, so did the legacy of the jazz vocal ensemble. In that regard, though the competition was scarce, this group did elevate the art form to a higher level without much compromise. This two-CD, 39-track compilation represents many of the high points of the group. If anything is missing, some of the vocalese influenced by Eddie Jefferson should have been included. Still most fans will recognize "Ray's Rockhouse," "Route 66," "Four Brothers," "Tuxedo Junction," "That Cat Is High," "(Sing) Joy Spring," and their immortal take of the Jon Hendricks lyric to "Birdland." Unless it is a complete collection, you'd be hard pressed to find a better grouping of the Manhattan Transfer's prime body of works.

The Manhattan Transfer - Vocalese (1985)  Music

Posted by popsakov at Oct. 29, 2022
The Manhattan Transfer - Vocalese (1985)

The Manhattan Transfer - Vocalese (1985)
EAC Rip | FLAC (Img) + Cue + Log ~ 280 Mb | MP3 CBR320 ~ 110 Mb
Full Scans ~ 104 Mb | 00:45:35 | RAR 5% Recovery
Vocal Jazz, Soul-Jazz, Swing | Atlantic #7567-81266-2

Many of the Manhattan Transfer's recordings up to the point of Vocalese showed off their diversity and covered a wide variety of music, including jazz. This set was quite a bit different, for it is dedicated to the vocalese of the great Jon Hendricks. The Manhattan Transfer (singers Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser, Alan Paul and Janis Siegel) perform a dozen songs using Hendricks' lyrics, including "That's Killer Joe," "Rambo," "Ray's Rockhouse" and "Sing Joy Spring." Utilizing their regular band of the period (which includes guitarist Wayne Johnson), the Count Basie Orchestra (directed at the time by Thad Jones), the Four Freshmen (on "To You"), tenorman James Moody, Bobby McFerrin (guesting on "Night in Tunisia"), McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie (on "Sing Joy Spring"), altoist Richie Cole, and Hendricks himself, among many others, the Transfer give these boppish tunes definitive vocal treatments. This is one of their finest jazz recordings and a classic of its kind.

Manhattan Transfer - Bodies And Souls (1983) {Atlantic}  Music

Posted by tiburon at May 25, 2021
Manhattan Transfer - Bodies And Souls (1983) {Atlantic}

Manhattan Transfer - Bodies And Souls (1983) {Atlantic}
EAC 0.99pb4 | FLAC tracks level 8 | Cue+Log+M3U | Full Scans 300dpi | 257MB + 5% Recovery
MP3 CBR 320 Kbps | 113MB + 5% Recovery
Genre: Jazz-Funk, Swing, Vocal Jazz

This album took the Manhattan Transfer in a different direction from their previous releases, offering a new, revised style of their music. There were several collaborations on this album, including Stevie Wonder, Rod Temperton, and Jeremy Lubbock. Also appearing as a guest artist on the album was Frankie Valli, who appears on the song "American Pop". The final track on the album, "The Night That Monk Returned to Heaven", is a tribute to American jazz pianist Thelonious Monk.

Manhattan Transfer - Man-Tora! Live In Tokyo (1983) {Warner}  Music

Posted by tiburon at May 24, 2021
Manhattan Transfer - Man-Tora! Live In Tokyo (1983) {Warner}

Manhattan Transfer - Man-Tora! Live In Tokyo (1983) {Warner}
EAC 0.95b3 | FLAC tracks level 8 | Cue+Log+M3U | Full Scans 400dpi | 460MB + 5% Recovery
MP3 CBR 320 Kbps | 148MB + 5% Recovery
Genre: Vocal Jazz

FM Tokyo recorded these live performances, Westwood One broadcast them in the States, and Bop Doo-Wopp included five of the tracks, but the rest weren't made available to the public until 1996. Backed by their touring sextet of the time, Man-Tora!: Live in Tokyo is certainly a more spontaneous Manhattan Transfer CD than that of their carefully produced recordings, genuinely overflowing with the joy of singing with each other. Listen to their ebullient interplay on "Jeannine," with Cheryl Bentyne's chirping voice way up top for a charge that the group only delivers live.
The Manhattan Transfer - Vibrate (2004) MCH PS3 ISO + DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

The Manhattan Transfer - Vibrate (2004)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 52:31 minutes | Full Scans included | 3,49 GB
or DSD64 2.0 (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 52:38 m | Scans included | 1,5 GB
or FLAC Stereo (carefully converted & encoded to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | 52:38 min | Scans | 1,2 GB
Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Telarc # SACD-63603

With a title like Vibrate, it would seem that the Manhattan Transfer had filled their first studio disc in four years with jazzy and exciting vocal workouts intended to shake the speakers. But the title is a bit misleading as Vibrate is one of their most subdued and elegant recordings, and one that harks back to the days of Mecca for Moderns where pop tangents were part of their repertoire.

The Manhattan Transfer - Extensions (1979)  Vinyl & HR

Posted by v3122 at Sept. 27, 2021
The Manhattan Transfer - Extensions (1979)

The Manhattan Transfer - Extensions (1979)
Vinyl Rip | 32-bit/384 kHz | WavPack(Tracks) > 3.21 Gb | Artwork(jpg) > 6.02 Mb
or 24-bit/192 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 1.37 Gb
or 24-bit/96 kHz | Flac(Image + Cue) > 791 Mb
Atlantic, P-10772A | Japan | Jazz, Vocal, Pop

This fourth album from Manhattan Transfer was the first for Cheryl Bentyne, who replaced Laurel Masse after the original singer's auto accident and subsequent decision to leave the group. Though replacing Masse was difficult, Bentyne's energy and style proved to be the perfect complement to the group's already dynamic performance…

The Manhattan Transfer - Couldn't Be Hotter (2003)  Music

Posted by popsakov at June 28, 2023
The Manhattan Transfer - Couldn't Be Hotter (2003)

The Manhattan Transfer - Couldn't Be Hotter (2003)
EAC Rip | FLAC (Img) + Cue + Log ~ 503 Mb | MP3 CBR320 ~ 195 Mb
Full Scans | 01:17:30 | RAR 5% Recovery
Vocal Jazz | Telarc #CD-83586

Although Manhattan Transfer have released other live albums, the collections were scattershot affairs that mainly focused on their '80s pop experiments or Vocalese-era jazz numbers that never really coalesced into one solid, perfectly performed concert recording. Twenty-eight years after their debut album, Manhattan Transfer finally capture the magic of their live performances on disc with the appropriately titled Couldn't Be Hotter. This generous 16-track collection, culled from concerts recorded at Tokyo's Orchard Hall in 2000, focuses on the pure vocal jazz that initially brought attention to the group back in the early '70s.