Michael Brecker’s EWI Solo on “In A Sentimental Mood” – Live in Tokyo

Michael Brecker month continues this week on #InTheShed and no series on Brecker would be complete without a does of EWI.

http://youtu.be/MkyTk5OmVaU

Holy crap and thank you YouTubes!

I flipped my s*#& when I heard this back in high school. I only had the audio all these years…until just now when I looked it up on YouTube.

Here’s the thing: the vibe is straight fusion. No doubt. Some dated sounds and whatnot. But the musicianship is incredible.

If you’re going to play EWI (and I recommend you don’t), this is the standard you should aim for.

I ripped so much cool stuff from this solo that I then applied every time I performed “In A Sentimental Mood.” With my Jamey Aebersold play-along. (Hello ~1:40-2:13!)

So yeah, I’m not a big EWI fan, but the stuff Brecker played here still gives me goosebumps.

Enjoy!

Michael Brecker: saxophone, EWI
Steve Smith: drums
Mike Stern: guitar
Daryl Jones: bass
Mike Manieri: vibes

Recorded in Tokyo, July 30 1986

From Steps Ahead – Live in Tokyo