Michigan Jake's first recording is a hotly anticipated commodity. Beginning with their debut in 1996 (where they placed tenth at Salt Lake), the quartet, from the Cardinal District, has steadily gained traction, pausing temporarily at the number 2 spot in Kansas City. They are odds-on to go all the way next year. Many of their arrangements are by the group's own Mark Hale, Director of the Masters of Harmony Chorus, which says a lot about the caliber of Michigan Jake. They favor the standards of the great American songwriters Kern, Berlin et al, and their sound evokes that elegant and graceful era in style and flavor. Songs such as "Tea For Two" and "Imagination" have an easy swing feel and unaffected delivery that entrances with subtle charm, basking the ear with bright warmth. "Sweet Lorraine" smiles with courtly delight, emphasizing its point with triplets, and sliding into an exuberant finish. Michigan Jake harkens back to the glory days of barbershop while adding a modern freshness and vitality.

Songlist: Sweet Lorraine, Give Me A Night in June, Always, Louise, Imagination, I'm Beginning to See the Light, You Make Me Feel So Young, My Ideal, Tea For Two, All The Pretty Horses, Dinah, Gershwin Medley

Founded in 1995 and taking their name from a Warner Bros. cartoon frog who would maddeningly sing and dance only for the guy who finds him, Michigan Jake rose slowly but surely in the SPEBSQSA world until the year 2000, when they were named International Silver Medalist Quartet. In 2001 they won Gold, and since then this exciting, young male quartet has become one of the most sought after quartets in the country, giving performances around the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia and England, and have been inducted into Pennyslvania's Vocal Group Hall of Fame. "Rhythm" is MJ's 2nd CD, their first the excellent "For The Record." These 13 songs really show off the group's versatility: a brilliantly arranged "Something's Coming" from West Side Story, "Too Marvelous For Words," "Twilight Time," "The Old Piano Roll Blues," a jazzy, bluenote "Tangerine," Hank Williams' deathless, upbeat hit "Hey, Good Looking'," "Time Was," "Look Me Up When You're In Dixie," "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams," "Somebody Knows," "Once In A Lifetime," "That's How Rhythm Was Born" and a brilliant "Bill Bailey Montage" that takes us on a musical odyssey from the 1930's to the 1960s, 70s and 80s, coming to a very funny finish in 18th century Germany. And we'll bet that Bill Bailey never once crossed your mind while listening to the Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl." In any case, "Rhythm" is top-drawer (a) ringing barbershop harmony, (b) entertainment and (c) big fun. Enjoy!

Songlist: Something's Coming, Too Marvelous for Words, Twilight Time, The Old Piano Roll Blues, Tangerine, Hey, Good Lookin', Time Was, Look Me Up When You're in Dixie, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, Somebody Knows, Once in a Lifetime, That's How Rhythm Was Born, Bill Bailey Montage