| Aspect | Detail | |--------|--------| | | Decent for budget reissue; not audiophile-grade but clean | | Artwork | Original album covers replicated in mini-card sleeves | | Booklet | No liner notes or extra booklets — just sleeves | | Price point | Budget-friendly (originally ~$25–30 USD for 5 CDs) | | OOP status | Out of print (discontinued), but widely available used or as new old stock |
Would you like the for any specific album in this set? michael franks original album series
Note: All albums are the original studio recordings — not remixed or remastered in high resolution, but faithful to the original CD or LP transfers. | Aspect | Detail | |--------|--------| | |
A return to the smooth, silky production of The Art of Tea . is a staple of his live shows. This album leans heavily into the Brazilian influence (a love letter to Antonio Carlos Jobim). The percussion is crisp, the bass lines are walking, and Franks’ wit is at its sharpest. It is the perfect "rainy Sunday morning" record. is a staple of his live shows
Often cited by hardcore fans as his masterpiece, Sleeping Gypsy expands the travelogue. Tracks like and "Chain Reaction" showcase a darker, more melancholic tone. The production is lush, featuring the guitar work of Larry Carlton and the engineering finesse of Al Schmitt. This is the sound of a New Orleans-born artist dreaming of exotic ports.
The is a definitive five-disc box set released by Rhino Records that captures the foundational years of one of smooth jazz’s most literate and sophisticated voices. This collection spans his prolific output from 1976 to 1980 , a period where Franks pioneered a unique blend of Brazilian rhythms, jazz-pop sensibility, and clever, often playful lyrics. The Core Collection
In the early 1970s, Franks began to establish himself as a solo artist, releasing his debut album, , in 1973. Although not part of the Original Album Series, this album laid the groundwork for his future success, featuring a mix of jazz, rock, and pop elements.