Vibrate (Multichannel Hybrid SACD) [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Some of the Transfer's best records have been themed, such as Brasil and Vocalese. However, their biggest commercial successes have come from albums like Extensions and Mecca for Moderns, recordings that highlighted the genre-hopping versatility of the vocal quartet and yielded big pop hits along with it. This album falls into the latter category. The previous five decades are harmonically represented throughout these 11 tracks, including traditional '40s vocal styling on "Embraceable You," a classic '50s doo-wop medley, and some Beach Boys-styled psychedelic '60s pop on "Feel Flows." They've always excelled at jazz, and do so here with lyrics by Jon Hendricks to melodies from Horace Silver and Marcus Miller. But it's the group's forays into the 21st century via songs by Brenda Russell and Rufus Wainwright that really stand out. --Mark Ruffin --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Walkin' In N.Y.
Greek Song
Vibrate
The New JuJu Man (Tutu)
Doodlin'
The Twelfth
First Ascent
Core Of Sound (Modinha)
Feel Flows
Embraceable You
Come Softly To Me/I Met Him On A Sunday

Amazon.com

Some of the Transfer's best records have been themed, such as Brasil and Vocalese. However, their biggest commercial successes have come from albums like Extensions and Mecca for Moderns, recordings that highlighted the genre-hopping versatility of the vocal quartet and yielded big pop hits along with it. This album falls into the latter category. The previous five decades are harmonically represented throughout these 11 tracks, including traditional '40s vocal styling on "Embraceable You," a classic '50s doo-wop medley, and some Beach Boys-styled psychedelic '60s pop on "Feel Flows." They've always excelled at jazz, and do so here with lyrics by Jon Hendricks to melodies from Horace Silver and Marcus Miller. But it's the group's forays into the 21st century via songs by Brenda Russell and Rufus Wainwright that really stand out. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

They are still the best...........2007-01-11

I've been a Transfer fan forever...and having grown up in the NYC area, I really dig their style. Their vocal abilities are beyond compare, and even though this album might be an acquired taste for many...(it is somewhat of a departure from what you might have expected from them);
the more I listen to it the better it gets. If you ever get the chance to see them live, don't miss it!

Still swingin' cats...........2005-08-16

Tight harmonies,great orchestrations...this album has it all! Nods to Miles Davis, Jon Hendricks (do yourself a big favor, and listen to the album "Everybody's Boppin'" by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross for some tremendous early work in this style) as well as work by newer composers (Rufus Wainright's "Greek Song").

As a person who first heard Manhattan Transfer live in the '70's, let me assure you that they have lost NOTHING in vocal quality or the willingness to branch out.

It's not "Bop Doo-Wopp", and it doesn't rise to the level of "Vocalese" but this offering by MT clearly shows that they are going strong!

Good but not Great.......2005-05-19

You can never fault the Manhattan Transfer on quality - they're some of the best singers working today - but some of their song selections make me scratch my head in wonder. Maybe I'm younger than the average fan, but songs like "Walking in New York" are just a little too Lite FM for me. That said, I thought "Greek Song" was a risky choice that paid off very well. Overall the album is quite good, but there's not a track that truly stands out as classic MT. It's very well done, just not the collection of songs I was hoping for.

Vocal eclectisism, done very well.......2004-12-24

The Manhattan Transfer has always been a very eclectic singing group, given the superlative degree of musicianship of each of its four singers. But when you think of the M.T., you tend to think of two genres: vocalese (e.g., most of "Vocalese" and the best cuts of "Mecca for Moderns") and jazzed-up doo-wop (e.g., "Boy from New York City," "Trinkle Trinkle" and "Operator")

This album has precious little of that. Its vocalese consists of a harmonized version of Jon Hendricks' wonderful "Doodlin'", an old Horace Silver staple most prominently covered by Mark Murphy; and its doo-wop is the last cut, a cool medley of "Come Softly To Me" and "I Met Him on a Sunday" (complete with "Papa do-run-run's" in the background)

The album as a whole is as wide a pastiche of eclectism as you'll find from a singing group. From Latin-tinged ("Walkin in New York), to Oriental-influenced ("Greek Song"), to Mediterranean-toned ("Vibrate"), to straight ahead jazz ( Miles'"The New Juju Man"), this album has it all.

My favorites are the three cuts augmented with a string quartet and piano: the aforementioned title track; a lovely cover of Gershwin's "Embraceable You"; and IMO the album's highlight, or "Core of Sound." I think the reason these work so well is that, not only are they gorgeous arrangements in and of themselves, but also the violin extends the soprano range of Cheryl Bentyne, while the cello extends the bass range of Tim Hauser, so that the tightly harmonized quartet sounds even more impressive than usual.

Special note, as well, to the most adventurous track, "First Ascent", a space-aged sounding, tightly harmonized tune over a fast 7/8 background.

Based on all of these superlatives, you ask, why only four stars? Basically, I have to put some distance between this album and the Transfer's best, or "Vocalese", as well as the best vocal ensemble jazz album of the new millenium, or the New York Voices' "Sing Sing Sing." But it's a very high four, and I strongly recommend this album to all. This one will grow on you. RC

THE BEST THING IF EVER HAPPENED TO THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER.......2004-10-02

The Manhattan Transfer has done it again, their 15th album shows the power of jazz/pop. Since the early 1970s, The Manhattan Transfer have been pushing and redefining the boundaries of vocal music in the context of jazz, pop and numerous other styles. Along the way, the collective efforts of vocalists Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser, Alan Paul and Janis Siegel have earned The Transfer a healthy collection of Grammy Awards and a loyal fan base that spans the entire globe.
The latest chapter in the quartet's exploratory trajectory is Vibrate,, their new album on Telarc set for release on September 28, 2004. Throughout the album's eleven tracks, The Transfer explore both the traditional and progressive sides of jazz, plus various shades of Latin, world and pop music.

The Manhattan Transfer make the whole world vibratin', their 15th album contains the excitement of jazz/pop. 15 albums, 10 Grammys, and known as The Kings And Queens of Tuxedo Junction.

Average customer rating:

They are still the best....
Still swingin' cats....
Good but not Great
Vocal eclectisism, done very well
THE BEST THING IF EVER HAPPENED TO THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER

Vibrate (Multichannel Hybrid SACD)
The Manhattan Transfer
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocalese | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Couldn't Be Hotter
Swing
The Symphony Sessions
An Acapella Christmas
Brasil

ASIN: B0002VEXBE
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Walkin' In N.Y.
Greek Song
Vibrate
The New JuJu Man
Doodlin'
The Twelfth
First Ascent
Core Of Sound
Feel Flows
Embraceable You
Come Softly To Me/I Met Him On A Sunday

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

They are still the best...........2007-01-11

Still swingin' cats...........2005-08-16

Good but not Great.......2005-05-19

Vocal eclectisism, done very well.......2004-12-24

THE BEST THING IF EVER HAPPENED TO THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER.......2004-10-02

Average customer rating:

HONESTLY - There is not one song on this album I DON'T like!
vibrate you
At last...a mainstream UK band with a mildly punky vibe!
The best immature album ever

Vibrate You
King Adora
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005JRML
Release Date: 2006-09-25

Tracks:

Smoulder
Bionic
Big Isn't Beautiful
Friday Night Explodes
Aftertime
The Law
Whether
We Are Heroes
Supermuffdiver
Asthmatic
Music Takes You
Suffocate
Scream And Shout
Aceface

Album Description

Debut album for brash young glam-sleaze merchants, borrowing heavily from the wannabe, supermodel, smack addict imagery of the New York Dolls & the full-on subversive pop charm of the Kinks. 19 tracks including, 'Smoulder', 'Big Isn't Beautiful', 'Friday Night Explodes', 'Super Muff Diver', the bonus tracks, 'Scream And Shout', 'Aceface' & enhanced material including exclusive film footage & videos for 'Smoulder', 'Bionic', 'Suffocate' & 'Big Isn't Beautiful'. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

HONESTLY - There is not one song on this album I DON'T like!.......2001-09-25

My God - what a wonderfully glittery album! I have never come across an album like Vibrate You, the album changes its style the whole way through, from "Suffocate" (which I think is very Smashing Pumpkins) to "Bionic" (which is very old Manics). No matter how many times you listen to this album you will not get bored, you always notice new things and never get bored of the songs. Lyrically wonderful, "Big Isn't Beautiful" taking on anorexia and doing so tactfully, you've got to really listen to the song to get the idea, generally its about male anorexia and the fact that society pins anorexia on women and that males go through the illness too and King Adora have been praised for this. The best song on the album is "Suffocate" for it's mellow beginnings and storming chorus, the worst song on the album has got to be "We Are Heroes", it has great potential but is a failure because its too repetitive.

1. Smoulder (8/10)
2. Bionic (9/10)
3. Big Isn't Beautiful (10/10)
4. Friday Night Explodes (7/10)
5. Aftertime (5/10)
6. The Law (10/10)
7. Whether (6/10)
8. We Are Heroes (3/10)
9. Supermuffdiver (9/10)
10. Asthmatic (8/10)
11. Music Takes You (7/10)
12. Suffocate (10/10)

vibrate you.......2001-07-29

damn this is a fine album this just sounds right and the track lengths are spot on. okay so the lyrics arent going to win any awards but theyre good enough to go along with the rest of the record

the best part of the cd though is (provided youve got the special edition) the pc addons. there are 5 videos to watch, 4 music vids and 1 long band/live compilation. good viewing if you missed any of the previous vids.

At last...a mainstream UK band with a mildly punky vibe!.......2001-07-29

King Adora are nothing short of a breath of fresh air. On this little island of ours, we flock to stadia to worship such US imports as Linkin Park, Offspring, Bizkit, etc...Although King Adora are diametrically opposed, at least the source of the vibe is not!

What is it about the pathetically insular music industry on this silly little piece of land called the UK that is so anal apropos any home grown music offering a guitar-based hard edge? In order to break into the charts, every band which aspires to any level of artistic creativity over here has to sound like coldplay (i.e.; adult orientated folk indeee), or it isn't worh investing in! And everyone wonders why our so called top acts can't "crack" the US. It is because they are all...!

King Adora break that mould. "The Law" is a classic post punk jamboree, full of energy and polite anger. Other offerings, bionic being a fine example , pander a little to the expectations of brit... pop, without belying their vibe. Whilst not necessarily ground breaking, King Adora appear to be holding a torch for anything exhibiting the temerity to combine mainstream, creative (as opposed to manufactured) and real. Who else is there around at this level in the UK (Feeder aside) to compare?!

The best immature album ever.......2001-06-03

When they draw comparisons to such bands as the Manics, Suede and Placebo, you hardly think you've come across a band which is going to be totally immature and one-level lyrically. Whilst the Manics, even in their punk days, took on political and difficult subjects, King Adora's subjects range from shagging policewomen ('The Law') to taking drugs you've never heard of ('Friday Night Explodes'). Its also the first album without even 1 swear word which has an 'Explicit Lyrics' badge on it I've seen - purely due to its subject matter.

But the gorgeous thing about Vibrate You is it never claims to be making brash political statements. King Adora are controversial enough, but they're not at all revolutionary - there's no 'Anarchy In The UK' or 'White Riot' on this album.

Perhaps Placebo are a more accurate comparison. After all, both have an extremely sluttish, fe male image, but even Placebo could take on their subjects with a bit more eloquence.

Having said this, King Adora can write some wicked tunes - although by the end of the album you're getting a bit tired of Maxi's voice and the only thing that maintains its credibility is that, unlike most albums which maintain one style throughout, it finishes on one of the singles as opposed to a cheap copy of one of them.

I'll now go through the tracks one by one.

Smoulder. Musically : 7/10. Lyrically: 4/10. Musically its their trademark sound, perhaps Bionic would have been the better opener though. Lyrically nothing to write home about. Its also trademark: just something about his body.

Bionic. Musically: 10/10. Lyrically: 5/10. Musically its brilliant and perfectly suited to their style, a total thrill. Lyrically, again, nothing to write home about.

Big Isn't Beautiful. Musically: 8/10. Lyrically: 2/10. Musically, its wonderfully sluttish and quite cool. Lyrically, its abysmal. They take on anorexia and utterly fail. If the Manics' 4st7lb were a love sonnet, this would be a Steps love ballad. The meaning is way too forced.

Friday Night Explodes. Musically: 6/10. Lyrically: 3/10. Musically its more of same really, but the tune is quite good. Lyrically its some rubbish about drugs.

Aftertime. Musically: 8/10. Lyrically: 8/10. Musically, another strong offering, nice and catchy. Lyrically, their first respectable effort yet. I particularly like the line 'Shake The Skies allure'.

The Law. Musically: 7/10. Lyrically: 4/10. Musically, good, but not as good as some others. Also its way too short - I know they're all short, but 1.57 is ridiculous. Lyrically, its an embarresingly crude account of shagging a policewoman ('We did it in the back of her panda')

Whether. Musically: 9/10. Lyrically: 3/10. Musically, probably the best SONG on the album, although its not necessarily suited to their style. Lyrically, it looks like a critique on modern society. If it is, they're total hypocrites, because they're everything they critisise. If its serious then its REALLY stupid.

We Are Heroes. Musically: 7/10. Lyrically: 3/10. Musically, its another strong tune. Lyrically, its an obvious attempt at their 'You Love Us' (a Manics song) but they don't seem to get that You Love Us was sarcastic. This is not.

Supermuffdiver. Musically: 5/10. Lyrically: 3/10. Musically, the first not so good song. Its not that its bad, its just that I've heard it by now. Lyrically, its just more seuxal lust, as the title indicates.

Astmatic. Musically: 4/10. Lyrically: 3/10. Again, its too same-ish. Lyrically, its a sex account again. This is getting old! Untill.....

Music Takes You. Musically; 9/10. Lyrically: 9/10. This pulls the album right back. Musically, its a welcome break, as its very mellow, and its has lovely harmonies. Unfortunately Maxi doesn't change his vocal style, which brings it down very slightly. Weird ending. The only song over 4 minutes. Lyrically, their best effort on the whole album.

Suffocate. Musically: 10/10. Lyrically: 7/10. We can now return to the original style in class, with this superb track. Lyrically, its also respectable.

Scream and Shout (bonus) Musically: 5/10. Lyrically: 5/10. Nothing to write home about musically or lyrically.

Aceface (bonus) Musically: 4/10. Lyrically: 6/10. Musically, not good. Lyrically, OK.

Conclusion: Best songs musically: 1. Bionic (10), 2. Suffocate (10). 3. Whether (10). Best songs lyrically: 1. Music Takes You (9), 2. Aftertime (8), 3. Suffocate (7). Overall: 1. Music Takes You (18), 2. Suffocate (17), 3. Aftertime (16).

Vibrate
Average customer rating:
Vibrate
Mack Self
Manufacturer: Gee Dee
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music
Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000B7ZD
Release Date: 1997-11-10