Michael Brecker/ Pat Metheny Quartet live in Paris 2000

Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone
Pat Metheny, guitars
Larry Goldings, hammond B3
Bill Stewart, drums

recorded live at La Villette, Paris, July 2, 2000

1. Half Past Late
2. Into The Dream
3. Extradition
4. What Do You Want?
5. Song For Bilbao
6. Interview

Time Is of the Essence extends Brecker's broad command of the styles pioneered during the mid-1960s. He's playing with a veritable supergroup, Pat Metheny adding efficient strums and riffs on guitar and Larry Goldings pillowing the atmosphere on a Hammond B3 organ. Three drummers alternate on the session, with the great Elvin Jones making the most turbulent storm and Bill Stewart providing the most detailed textures. Jeff "Tain" Watts mixes Jones's romping power with a sense of the delicate, loaning Brecker's melodies an added dimension. For his part, Brecker plays hard and fast with absolute proficiency. The tunes are gutsy and sharp, with lots of creative soloing and up-tempo energy. R.I.P. Michael.