180g Double Vinyl LP Album with Gatefold Cover, 4 Page Booklet & Obi
From the Original Master of Universal Music
Lacquer Cutting by SST Brüggemann GmbH in Germany
Pressing by Pallas GmbH in Germany
Cover Sleeve Printed & Made by Khiov in Korea

The ‘Play 33 1/3 LP Series’ is a 1st LP issue project of the masterpiece albums which have never been released on vinyl LP. The albums are released by Universal Music Korea and the heavyweight vinyl LP is pressed in Germany. Khiov designs the project, reforms the original artworks for the LP size and produces the sleeves precisely by handmade. You will have a chance to experience great analogue sounds and to enjoy splendid artworks through the series.

The seven-time Grammy award-winning tenor saxophonist, Michael Brecker brings an all-star band together on this first ever ballad project titled Nearness of You: The Ballad Book. Accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, Pat Metheny on guitars, Charlie Haden on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums, and a special guest appearance by James Taylor, singing his sensational hit “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” and Hoagy Carmichael’s “The Nearness of You,” the tenor saxophonist creates rich resonant statements on 11 songs collected in two chapters and their epilogue. Brecker has updated these great songs with the addition of Pat Metheny’s excellent production prowess on such great ballads as Joe Zawinul’s “Midnight Mood” and the Kurt Weill-Ira Gershwin standard “My Ship.” “Midnight Mood” is sensual and seductive, complete with a blithe piano solo by Herbie Hancock in the middle section. Hancock fills in the beauty of Brecker’s saxophone lines on this arrangement that is partially based on guitarist Wes Montgomery’s version. James Taylor sings one of the best renditions of his “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” and it’s clearly due to the excellent musicians on this CD. Pat Metheny excels as a serious jazz artist with his well thought out treatment of “Nascente,” which was inspired by Gil Evans’ classic 1948 arrangement for Miles Davis on Miles Ahead. Michael Brecker has clearly maintained his status as one of the best tenor saxophonists on the jazz scene, and this, his eighth album as a leader, is well within the musical excellence previously recorded.

LINE-UP
MICHAEL BRECKER tenor saxophone
PAT METHENY guitars
HERBIE HANCOCK piano
CHARLIE HADEN bass
JACK DEJOHNETTE drums

with special guest
JAMES TAYLOR vocals

CREDITS
Produced by Pat Metheny
Co-produced by Steve Rodby
Executive producer: Richard Seidel