Search - Manhattan Transfer :: Man-Tora! Live in Tokyo

A brilliant quartet in a rare live recording

Bruce Hodges | New York, NY | 11/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few of the Manhattan Transfer's studio recordings have captured their magnetism as effectively as this terrific disc recorded live in Tokyo in 1983. From the opening "Birdland," you can feel the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd. Almost every song here has been featured elsewhere, but not with the electricity here. Take "Jeannine," for example - one of their standards. Only here do we get the long, intricate improvisations that the singers added in live performances, totally trumping their studio version. The early gospel-inflected hit "Operator" falls near the end of the program, and it's stunning - again with greater passion that makes the original track sound tame. Janis Siegel's voice is in soaring form, but all four musicians sound superb; either individually or together, they really know how to sing. Deep thanks is due to Rhino for acquiring this treasure, and releasing it with their usual high production values. The Manhattan Transfer have produced some fine recordings, but I would never have imagined that such a vibrant document of their live performances existed. For fans of the group, or fans of fine jazz singing in general, it's an unexpected gift."