- Featuring the music of Barry Manilow
- Long-time members of Barry Manilow’s band
- Ron Pedley, Michael Lent and David Rozenblatt
Brooklyn Cafe is a brand new release by the PLR Trio, an instrumental jazz organ trio made up of long-time members of Barry Manilow’s band, Ron Pedley, Michael Lent and David Rozenblatt. This album, the debut for this group, showcases five of Barry’s songs. For decades, Manilow’s music has proven to withstand the test of time and his beautifully crafted melodies hold up in any genre.
Sweet Life opens the CD.This is great driving music which takes some twists and turns along the way. Lent’s beautiful guitar solo as the song fades is evidence that it will indeed be a sweet life.
Brooklyn Cafe, the title track, is a medley of Brooklyn Blues and Paradise Cafe. The smooth intro of Brooklyn Blues starts this inspired mash-up which later morphs into a swingin’ version of Paradise Cafe. Lent’s tasty guitar solo into Rozenblatt’s beautiful brush work is not to be missed! The medley ends with Pedley and Lent trading solos and then the Brooklyn Blues ending, creating a delightful bookend.
Next up is Border Train. PLR’s lush version of this rarely performed gem with its distinctive, haunting melody is reminiscent of Joe Zawinul’s Weather Report.
Manilow’s legendary Copacabana is undoubtedly PLR’s tour de force, presenting the listener with an array of Jazz, Cuban and Latin American rhythms guaranteed to knock your ruffles off.
Ending the CD is Manilow’s timeless I Am Your Child. This early classic was arranged to showcase its poignant melody. The music brought forth by Lent’s heartwarming guitar solo, Pedley’s hypnotic organ playing and Rozenblatt’s colorful cymbal work is as gorgeous as it gets.
