Vibrate
The Manhattan Transfer · 2004
53 min · 11 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of jazz harmonies and a cappella arrangements, interwoven with eclectic influences from around the globe.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Vibrate — The title track captures the album's essence with its catchy melodies and intricate vocal interplay, showcasing the group's trademark harmonies.
-
→
Feel Flows — This cover demonstrates The Manhattan Transfer's ability to reinterpret classic songs through their unique vocal stylings, blending pop sensibilities with jazz roots.
-
→
Embraceable You — Their rendition brings a fresh perspective to this jazz standard, highlighting the group's smooth harmonies and emotional delivery that resonate throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal arrangements and diverse influences but lacks a cohesive flow throughout.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate vocal harmonies that often layer multiple voices simultaneously, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
- Several tracks incorporate diverse rhythms and styles, such as the Latin influence in 'Core of Sound (Modinha)' and the jazz swing in 'Doodlin'.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo celebration
- a cappella harmonies to savor
- musical diversity exploration
- enjoyable for group listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy instant gratification
- seek standalone track variety
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 28, 2004, 'Vibrate' marked The Manhattan Transfer's eleventh studio album and their first since reuniting in the early 2000s. This album followed their previous work, 'The Spirit of St. Louis' (1992), showcasing a renewed energy and experimental approach in blending various musical styles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Swingle Singers· Pentatonix· Vocalosity
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Walkin’ in N.Y. 3:55
- 2 Greek Song 4:43
- 3 Vibrate 4:30
- 4 The New JuJu Man (Tutu) 5:43
- 5 Doodlin’ 5:26
- 6 The Twelfth 4:13
- 7 First Ascent 5:31
- 8 Core of Sound (Modinha) 4:58
- 9 Feel Flows 5:09
- 10 Embraceable You 4:11
- 11 Come Softly to Me / I Met Him on a Sunday 4:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.