Multiple Grammy-winning mixed quartet Manhattan Transfer is known for their expertise in many styles of music, including doo-wop, cabaret and Brazilian music for example, but they have been best known for their live performances and incomparable jazz singing. "Hotter" is a live CD, recorded at Orchestra Hall in Tokyo, featuring 16 of the group's best jazz covers. Mostly recent material, the songs are accompanied by a stellar jazz band that has toured with the group for years. A couple of nods are given to classic Transfer tunes, like a rousing version of Roy Hamilton's Rockabilly hit "Don't Let Go," from their 1976 album "Coming Out," and "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone," a choice selection from the disco era. Particular favorites are two Satchmo-related numbers, "Up a Lazy River" and "Stars Fell on Alabama," that were not included on MT's Armstrong tribute disc, "The Spirit of St. Louis." There are so many fine moments on this CD: Janice Siegel's mock muted trumpet solo on Ella Fitzgerald's "A Tisket, A Tasket," the onstage repartee between Tim Hauser, and Alan Paul on "Gone Fishin'," and some wonderfully raucous scat singing on "Nothing Could Be Hotter Than That." "Hotter" is simply a joy, probably the greatest vocal jazz group of all time, live on stage, filling our CD player with sweet, smoking, soulful jazz. Great foldout liner notes. Highly recommended!