1981 The Manhattan Transfer – Mecca For Moderns
Mecca For Moderns is the sixth album by The Manhattan Transfer. It was released in 1981 on the Atlantic records label.
This album was the highest charting album to date for the group, peaking on Billboard Magazine’s Top Pop Catalog Albums chart at #22. Additionally, the album helped the Manhattan Transfer make music history: they became the first group to win Grammy Awards in both the pop and jazz categories in the same year.
The song “The Boy from New York City” became their first top 10 hit, reaching #7 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 chart. This song also won the group the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
The song “Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)” also earned them a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.
The song “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” which was arranged by Gene Puerling, won the Grammy Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices.
The song “Spies In The Night”, which incorporates the “James Bond Theme”, also charted on Billboard Magazine’s Bubbling Under chart, peaking at #103.
Tracks
1 On The Boulevard (Richard Page, Jay Graydon, Marc Jordan) 4:09
2 Boy From New York City (George Davis, John Taylor) 3:40
3 (Wanted) Dead Or Alive (Art Decoteau, Slinger Francisco) 3:25
4 Spies In The Night (David Foster, Jay Graydon, Alan Paul) 4:03
5 Smile Again (Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon, Alan Paul) 4:33
6 Until I Met You (Corner Pocket) (Freddie Green, Don Wolf) 5:17
7 (The Word Of) Confirmation (Charlie Parker, Eddie Jefferson) 3:14
8 Kafka (Bernard Kafka, Jay Graydon) 4:13
9 A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley (Eric Maschwitz, Manning Sherwin) 3:47
Biography
Musicians
1 On The Boulevard
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Piano | Victor Feldman |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Guitar (solo) | Jay Graydon |
| Synthesizer | Jay Graydon |
2 Boy From New York City
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Mike Baird |
| Guitar | Jay Graydon |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Piano | David Foster |
| Sax | Don Roberts |
| Trumpet | Jerry Hey |
3 (Wanted) Dead Or Alive
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Jay Graydon |
| Organ | Greg Mathieson |
| Synthesizer | Greg Mathieson |
| Synthesizer | Jay Graydon |
| Sax | Tom Scott |
| Lyricon | Tom Scott |
| Percussion | Alex Acuna |
| Steel Drums | Andy Norell |
4 Spies In The Night
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Jay Graydon |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Piano | David Foster |
| Keyboards | Michael Boddicker |
5 Smile Again
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Piano | David Foster |
| Fender Rhodes | David Foster |
6 Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Al Viola |
| Piano | Yaron Gershovsky |
7 (The Word Of) Confirmation
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Piano | Milchio Leviev |
8 Kafka
| Bass | Abraham Laboriel Sr |
| Drums | Steve Gadd |
| Guitar | Jay Graydon |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Piano | Yaron Gershovsky |
| Synthesizer | Milchio Leviev |
| Synthesizer | Steve George |
Liner Notes
Arranged By – Jay Graydon (Tracks 1, 3, 5, 8)
Arranged By – Milcho Leviev (Track 7)
Arranged By – Gene Puerling (Track 9)
Arranged By (Horns, Rhythm) – Jay Graydon (Track 2)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Alan Paul (Tracks 2, 4)
Arranged By (Rhythm, Vocals) – Jay Graydon (Tracks 4, 6)
Arranged By (Strings) – David Foster (Track 5)
Arranged By (Vocals) – Janis Siegel (Track 6)
Engineer (Assistant) – Bob Bullock, Debbie Thompson
Contractor – Frank DeCaro
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Recorded By – Joe Bogan
Remix – Jay Graydon
Art Direction – Richard De Gussi, Sarah Richardson, Steven Arnold
Photography – Steven Arnold
Mastered At A&M Studios, LA, CA
Mixed At Garden Rake Studios, Studio City, CA
Overdubbed At Garden Rake Studios, Studio City, CA
Recorded At Dawnbreaker Studio, San Fernando, CA
Phonographic Copyright Atlantic Recording Corporation
Copyright Atlantic Recording Corporation