"Live music is a powerful thing" says the opening sentence of this recording's liner notes and for The Real Group it is especially true. Recorded in April 2013 at the intimate jazz club Billboard Live Club in Osaka and Tokyo, this superb recording showcases the stunning voices and sublime arrangements that make the Real Group one of the very best in the business. Some of the songs on the recording have been in their repertoire for awhile but have never been recorded before by current group members Emma and Morton. They bring a fresh new interpretation of the material and its wonderful to hear how these old favorites have developed. There is also plenty of new material such as "Lucky Luke", the Daft Punk song "Harder Better Faster Stronger", the swingin' "Gee! Mine or Mozart's?" and Michael Jackson's "Bad". This reviewer has had the great pleasure of hearing the Real Group perform live and this recording helps relive the experience and for those of you who have not heard them live now here's your chance. The physical CD comes with a lovely color booklet chock full of photos and musings from the group members. |