Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 145 - Featuring Great Works by Master Producers Part 8 - Tommy LiPuma and Michael Franks

There are many possible situations in which I listen to music, but the most important factors for me today are relaxation and self-therapy.

My musical career started with progressive rock and continued with bands from my school days. My CD trays are filled with Latin jazz albums and Brazilian bossa nova albums on a daily basis. Especially in summer in Japan, when the temperature rises and the humidity is high, the cool bossa nova albums are the best.
Other albums are standard jazz and fusion albums played by electric jazz bands. I also play in two west coast rock bands with Eric Clapton, but I rarely listen to rock music at home. The reason is that I don't find it very relaxing.

When you have been involved in music for a long time, you develop an image for what you want in your ideal band. My ideal band would be the 24th Street Band for rock music, and Michael Franks for a more jazz-oriented band.
The 24th Street Band is a band where everyone can sing vocals and has a rock approach to music with an understanding of jazz elements.
Michael Franks has pop and bossa nova elements, but he also understands the jazz method and his vocals are sophisticated.
Tommy LiPuma is also deeply involved with Michael Franks.

The Overflowing Intelligence of Michael Franks

Michael Franks was born in 1944 and is an American musician whose parents both listened to jazz, so music was etched into his body from an early age. He is an intellectual musician with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from a university. His orientation is reflected not only in his music but also on his album covers.
The album title Sleeping Gypsy is said to have been taken from a painting of the same title by Henri Rousseau, and the album Tiger in the Rain is also named after a painting of the same name by Henri Rousseau.

Michael Franks / Tiger in the Rain (1979)

■ Recommended Album: Michael Franks The Art Of Tea (1975)

This is Michael Franks' memorable major label debut album.

Before this album, he produced his first album Previously Unavailable, but Tommy LiPuma was not involved. Listening to this album, one can understand how important the producer is.

The album has a cool, stylish sound with urban-like, jazz, bossa nova, and other tension notes. This sound orientation was achieved by highly skilled musicians such as John Guerin (dr.), Wilton Felder (b), Joe Sample (keys), Larry Carlton (g), Nick DeCarlo (st. arr), Michael Brecker (t. sax), and David Sanborn (a. sax). The project was realized by a group of highly skilled musicians.

Tommy LiPuma understood the music of Michael Franks and assembled the above musicians to materialize the picture he had in his head. The result of seeing the direction the music was headed without any extra embellishments is what makes this album so well received. Forty-eight years have proven that this was not a mistake.

Song recommendation: “Monkey See - Monkey Do”

A pop song with 16 beats. The album was released in 1975, which means the song is 48 years old. It is very sophisticated and its sophistication can be attributed to the skill of the producer, Tommy LiPuma.
By using highly skilled musicians with a good sense of musical performance, and by composing the song with a minimalist approach, the song has become a timeless and universal composition.

Recommended Song: “Popsicle Toes”

A 4-beat based piece that starts with a bluesy riff with vibes and a Fender Rhodes piano, the rhythm section fakes just before the second chorus song is very stylish! Joe Sample's Fender Rhodes piano solo, which develops in the middle of the song, is jazz-like but with a melody in mind. On the other hand, Sample's Rhodes dances over the bluesy riff, giving the song a more indigenous flavor.

■ Recommended Album: Michael Franks Sleeping Gypsy (1977)

This is Michael Franks' best album and the ideal result of Tommy Repuma's production. Recording members include John Guerin (dr.), Wilton Felder (b), Joe Sample (key), Larry Carlton (g), Michael Brecker (t.sax), and David Sanborn (a.sax). Following the first album, Tommy's ideal music is completed on this album, using the best musicians.

Recommended Song: “Down in Brazil”

A speedy bossa nova-based piece. Joe Sample's acoustic piano solo structure is well thought out and the phrasing is brilliant. Larry Carlton's guitar solo, which is accompanied by the piano solo, is just as good as the piano solo. Larry Carlton's Wes Montgomery-like octave technique in the outro and other parts is also very suave.

Song recommendation: “Antonio's Song”

This is a masterpiece that Franks, who is fascinated by Brazilian music, dedicated to the master of Brazilian music, Antônio Carlos Jobim.
The languid and beautiful melody line is probably Michael Franks' strongest point. Joe Sample's acoustic piano solo sings beautifully. David Sanborn's sax solo is also excellent. The breath of these young, highly skilled players brings the music to an opulent world.
These songs show that Tommy LiPuma's musical lineage was already established in the late 1970s.
Many of the songs have been covered by many musicians.

Musicians, albums, and song recommendations featured in this issue

• Artists: Michael Franks, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, etc.
• Albums: The Art of Tea, Sleeping Gypsy
• Song titles: “Monkey See - Monkey Do”, “Popsicle Toes,“ ”Down in Brazil,“ ”Antonio's Song“

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