Michael Franks - The Art Of Tea, Reprise Records REP54 048

Sensually suggestive and playful tracks, such as "Popsicle Toes" and "Eggplant" contain sly wordplay and almost Henry Mancini-like, breezy jazz-pop. Employing a similar approach as Steely Dan did with its music, Franks' singing and songwriting formed the basis of a sound rooted in the support of top-notch musicians, many of whom were the hottest studio jazz players on the scene. Here, the killer rhythm section of drummer John Guerin and bassist Wilton Felder is augmented by horn pros Michael Brecker and David Sanborn, with Franks and Larry Carlton handling all the guitar work. This winning combination of players, styles, singing, and songwriting would be reshuffled and refined over the years, but perhaps with no finer results than on this official major label debut.

Grading scale: NM > EX > VG+ > VG > Good > Poor)

Vinyl: NM. Looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. The finish is shiny, with no visible defects. Labels are superb, clean and bright without marks. Spindle shows no sign of wear. And no warps.

Cover: EX. SPINE: Clear, readable text | SEAMS: Top & Bottom intact without splits | CREASES: None or minor only | RING WEAR : None | DEFACING: None | (Actual images so you can check the condition)

Will combine for shipping if you buy mixed singles and albums. If you buy multiple items wait for invoice with correct shipping cost.

Records are packed well with extra protection and LPs taken out of sleeves. Double-LP usually works as 1LP but no extra protection.

Tracks:

A1 Nightmoves 4:03A2 Eggplant 3:34A3 Monkey See-Monkey Do 3:33A4 St. Elmo's Fire 3:58A5 I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad 4:16B1 Jive 3:16B2 Popsicle Toes 4:35B3 Sometimes I Just Forget To Smile 3:45B4 Mr. Blue 4:03