Southern California singer Michael Franks has left his footprints on smooth jazz with a myriad of albums. Starting with his self-titled album in 1973, Michael Franks soon joined Warner Bros. with the albums The Art of Tea (1975 ), Sleeping Gypsy (1977), Burchfield Nines (1978),Tiger in the Rain (1979), One Bad Habit (1980), Michael Franks with Crossfire: Live (1980), Objects of Desire (1982),  Passionfruit (1983), Skin Dive (1985), The Camera Never Lies (1987), Blue Pacific (1990), Dragonfly Summer (1993), Abandoned Garden (1995) and The Best of Michael Franks: A Backward Glance (1998). 1999 followed Barefoot on the Beach (Windham Hill), 2003 The Michael Franks Anthology: The Art of Love,  2003 Watching the Snow (Rhino; rereleased in 2007 on Koch Records), 2004 the compilation Love Songs (Warner Bros.) and 2006 Rendezvous in Rio (Koch Records).

After a long hiatus Michael Franks returns with Time Together on Shanachie Entertainment. Michael invited to his project top-notch musicians like Chuck Loeb (guitars, keys, programming), Will Lee (bass), Wolfgang Haffner (drums), Eric Marienthal (sax), Till Brönner (trumpet), Mark Egan (bass), Gil Goldstein (piano) and many more. The high quality of this album is evident. When you are a fan of Michael's vocals, this album is your musical paradise.

Now That The Summer's Here is Michael's recommendation for this season. Swinging on Chuck Loeb's guitar line Michael reveals his sunshine reverie. One Day In St. Tropez is a look back to a wonderful time at the Côte d'Azur. Franks' imagination of a travelling guitarist is filled with life by Romero Lumambo.

Another time, another place. With Summer In New York Michael Franks conjures memories of Big Apple featuring Till Brönner's shining trumpet. On Mice Mike Mainieri's Vibraphone and David Spinozza's guitar spin a superb waltz. With Charlie Chan In Egypt, a figure of a 1935 20th Century Fox movie, Michael Franks combines his own opinion about the disparate American war policy: "The fact that we are now engaged in unprovoked aggression… it seems like such a strange thing for us to be doing. I know that there have been times in our history when we have done things that fall into that category, but you’d hope that, over time, we would have learned something."

On I'd Rather Be Happy Than Right Michael is swaying on a Bossa Nova rhythm following Chris Loeb's guitar. A melancholic memory at the wonderful time with his beloved family. Time Together describes this recall with heartfelt notes. With Samba Blue Michael Franks thinks back to his stay in Paris. A city which always reminds him at his adored woman strolling the Champs Elysee, drinking coffee and kissing in the Metro.

On My Heart Said Wow Michael Franks invites Veronica Nunn to a jazzy duet. A favor Veronica returns for Michael's greatly appreciated contribution to her album The Art Of Michael Franks. If I Could Make September Stay is a nostalgic goodbye to a lost season, a part of a charming time. Do angels' wings really have feathers like birds? Feather's From An Angel's Wing answers with an astounding yes. Another musical indulgence in memories.

Michael Franks is a blessed composer, songwriter, arranger. His new album Time Together is the best realization of his fine compositions you can imagine.

 

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Album Information

Title: Time Together
Artist: Michael Franks
Year: 2011
Length: 0:56:57
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Shanachie Entertainment

Tracks:

01 Now That The Summer's Here [5:28]
02 One Day In St. Tropez [5:19]
03 Summer In New York [5:57]
04 Mice [5:27]
05 Charlie Chan In Egypt [5:30]
06 I'd Rather Be Happy Than Right [4:42]
07 Time Together [3:37]
08 Samba Blue [4:46]
09 My Heart Said Wow [2:47]
10 If I Could Make September Stay [5:23]
11 Feather's From An Angel's Wing [8:01]