The Brecker Brothers-The Brecker Brothers (1975)

By the time the Brecker brothers released their first album, they already had extensive experience as backing musicians for other artists. Randy and Michael Brecker had built a strong reputation in the New York jazz-rock and jazz-fusion scene, so it was no surprise that a major label like Arista quickly took notice and signed them in the mid-70s, releasing their debut album in 1975. On this first release, the Brecker brothers featured a stellar lineup of guest musicians, including David Sanborn, Ralph McDonald, Harvey Mason, Bob Mann, and Chris Parker, among others. Produced by Steve Backer and recorded at Secret Sound Studios in New York, this debut album showcases the duo's perfect synthesis of the best contemporary jazz fusion, replete with complex horn arrangements that nonetheless remain accessible to a wide audience. An album where the funk/jazz rhythms "Some Skink Funk", "Sponge" or "Rocks", coexist with smooth jazz passages "DBB", "Levitate" or "Oh My Stars" and pieces closer to contemporary soul jazz with the addictive "Sneakin' Up Behind You", forming with all of them one of the most attractive jazz fusion albums of the 70s, which had its deserved recognition at the Grammy Awards with three nominations, for best performance, best new artist and best instrumental arrangements.