The Art of Tea

The Art of Tea is invariably listed among the great AOR albums, its appeal discussed in countless places. For Southern Californian Michael Franks it was effectively his debut album. Released in 1976, it reached only No. 131 on the album chart, hardly an exceptional commercial result, but it remains one of his signature works alongside Sleeping Gypsy from 1977. It is a remarkably sophisticated record.

Tommy LiPuma produces, with the Crusaders’ Joe Sample on piano and keyboards, Larry Carlton on guitar and Wilton Felder on bass, LA Express drummer John Guerin, and David Sanborn on saxophone. Franks’ murmuring vocal style blends exquisitely with the jazzy sound, weaving a mellow urban performance.

As Franks describes the fusion of the different idioms of rock and jazz, a deep resonance combines with just the right sense of lightness. The musical elements melt into one another without any single part protruding: everything feels balanced. The opening ‘Nightmoves’, with Larry Carlton’s guitar ringing sensually, leads into the lightly rhythmic ‘Eggplant’. ‘Monkey See–Monkey Do’ and ‘Jive’ carry R&B flavours and Sanborn’s emotional saxophone, while ‘Popsicle Toes’ reached No. 43 and ‘Mr. Blue’ has Joe Sample’s beautiful, melancholic piano.

Nick DeCaro’s discreet, tasteful strings also deserve special mention. Even the title, taken from Okakura Tenshin’s book, adds to the intelligent atmosphere. This is truly an exquisite album.