A few thoughts about Michael Brecker.
First, the notion that to possess supreme technical prowess as an instrumentalist necessarily means that the player does not bring enough emotional content to the music is false. Likewise, the notion that players who don’t possess this level of technical mastery, or who choose to not flaunt it, are necessarily lesser musicians is also false. However, it is true that technical prowess gives a player options and possibilities that are not available to a player with limited technical skill. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Sometimes all it takes is one note to tell the whole story.
Ask saxophone players who was probably the greatest saxophone player ever, from the standpoint of technical prowess, in any genre, and Michael Brecker will get the most votes….by a long shot. Incredible command of the instrument and all its possibilities. If may seem heretical, but yes, even more so than Coltrane. But, this obviously doesn’t tell the whole story.
As great as Brecker was he was sometimes criticized by Jazz diehards (including Jazz players) for letting too much of his Pop/Fusion experience color his straight ahead Jazz playing. I think this was a valid criticism particularly in his early career. This stylistic “color” became less and less of a presence as he got older and developed a stronger and stronger individualistic straight-ahead Jazz style.
The Brecker Brothers band albums were reflective of the trend in the overall music scene toward Fusion which began in the ‘70s and I agree with @curiousjim that some of the material was a little too “urban-hip” for my tastes. This trend in music actually had little to do with the Jazz scene, which as sadly losing a lot of steam during the same period. The brothers and their band brought a Jazz sensibility and complexity to what was essentially pop/rock/funk material. My favorite Brecker Bros. record was their very first. One which included Dave Sanborn.
Michael and Randy Brecker were two of the busiest session players ever. As horn players probably the busiest on their respective instruments. Along with their “more serious” work as Jazz players in their and others’ projects they played on countless Pop records as soloists. They could do it all. And they made a great deal of money doing so. To get an idea of just how busy Michael was, check out this discography. Note that the list that the link opens to is in alphabetical order and the first page is only recordings “A-B”. Scroll to the top to open the subsequent pages.
Astounding!
http://www.michaelbreckerliverecordings.com/CompletediscographyA-B.html