This 1977 effort continues their hitmaking streak of one of fusion and R&B's durable and respected units. While this album's predecessor,
Back to Back, was credited to
the Brecker Brothers Band and featured members including
David Sanborn and
Steve Khan, it came off as underdone and facile. Don't Stop the Music does present their gifts in a more cogent fashion, but not without a few odd detours. The title track and "Finger Licking Good" are pure disco efforts, with pushy rhythms and ingratiating backing vocals. Although they are both a little silly, they have great horn riffs and boast a potent production. Despite those danceable offerings, Don't Stop the Music also features some of the brothers' most challenging work. The funky and quirky "Squids" features
Randy Brecker's customarily offbeat and singular electric trumpet work.
Hiram Bullock's articulate guitar also shines on that track and he fit into the Breckers sound like no other player. "Funky Sea, Funky Dew" is a reflective, urbane mid-tempo offering that has great tenor solos from
Michael Brecker. The just-as-strong "Petals" features a poignant trumpet work from
Randy Brecker. Don't Stop the Music enlists rock producer
Jack Richardson, and he and co-producer
Steve Backer both capture the more powerful aspects of the duo. Recorded at Atlantic Studios and engineered by
Gene Paul, Don't Stop the Music boasts an interesting sound, and is one of the Brecker Brothers' better efforts. ~ Jason Elias