Michael Franks Discography 19732018 Flac Ja Best -

Michael Franks is a cornerstone of the "Quiet Storm" and smooth jazz movements, known for his whisper-soft vocals, witty wordplay, and deep Brazilian influences. His discography from 1973 to 2018 traces a journey from idiosyncratic folk-jazz to sophisticated, high-fidelity bossa nova, making his work a favorite for audiophiles seeking FLAC or hi-res versions for critical listening. The Evolution of Smooth: Discography Highlights

Franks’ career began with a self-titled debut in 1973 (later reissued as Previously Unavailable) before he found his signature sound on the Warner Bros. label. The Early "Popsicle" Era (1975–1979):

The Art of Tea (1975): His breakthrough, featuring the hit "Popsicle Toes" and a legendary lineup including members of The Crusaders.

Sleeping Gypsy (1977): Partially recorded in Brazil, this album solidified his bossa nova obsession and yielded the classic "The Lady Wants to Know".

Burchfield Nines (1978): Reflects his move to New York with an "East Coast" jazz sensibility and the standout "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty".

Tiger in the Rain (1979): Produced by John Williams, this record is a high-water mark for his whimsical, tropical storytelling. Synthesized Sophistication (1980s–1990s):

Passionfruit (1983): Features his biggest commercial hit, "When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone)". michael franks discography 19732018 flac ja best

Blue Pacific (1990): A critical "comeback" album that returned to a more organic, lush production style.

Abandoned Garden (1995): A poignant tribute to his mentor, the Brazilian legend Antonio Carlos Jobim. The Modern Classics (2000s–2018):

Watching the Snow (2003): A rare seasonal album that swaps holiday cliches for cozy, sophisticated jazz arrangements.

Time Together (2011) & The Music in My Head (2018): These later works on the Shanachie label show Franks’ voice hasn’t aged, delivering the same "absurdly clever rhymes" and gentle grooves that defined his youth. Why Listen in FLAC/Hi-Res?

For fans of the "JA Best" (Japan's high-quality pressings) or hi-res digital formats, Franks’ music is ideal. His recordings often feature world-class session musicians like Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, and Joe Sample, captured with the pristine production of Tommy LiPuma. FLAC versions preserve the delicate textures of the cabasa—Franks' signature percussion instrument—and the "honeyed" phrasing of the saxophone solos that define his sound. "Best Of" Collections for Newcomers

If you're looking for a starting point, these curated collections cover the 1973–2018 span: Michael Franks is a cornerstone of the "Quiet

A Backward Glance: The Best of Michael Franks (1998): The definitive single-disc summary of his Warner Bros. years.

The Dream 1973–2011 (2012): A broader retrospective that includes his very early work.

Original Album Series: A 5-CD box set often recommended for those wanting the core 70s/80s albums in high quality.

The discography of Michael Franks from 1973 to 2018 comprises 18 studio albums, spanning his self-titled debut to his most recent studio release, The Music in My Head

. Known for his "cool" smooth jazz sound and witty, poetic lyrics, his work is widely available for high-quality listening in FLAC format through services like Qobuz Studio Discography (1973–2018) Album Title Notable Tracks Michael Franks "Don't Be Blue" The Art of Tea Reprise/Warner Bros. "Popsicle Toes," "Eggplant" Sleeping Gypsy Warner Bros. "The Lady Wants to Know," "Antonio's Song" Burchfield Nines Warner Bros. "When the Cookie Jar is Empty" Tiger in the Rain Warner Bros. "Tiger in the Rain," "When It's Over" One Bad Habit Warner Bros. "Baseball," "On My Way Home To You" Objects of Desire Warner Bros. "Jealousy," "Comin' Home to You" Passionfruit Warner Bros. "When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)" Warner Bros. "Your Secret's Safe with Me" The Camera Never Lies Warner Bros. "Island Life," "The Camera Never Lies" Blue Pacific Reprise/Warner Bros. "The Art of Love," "Woman in the Waves" Dragonfly Summer Warner Bros. "Soulmate," "You Were Meant for Me" Abandoned Garden Warner Bros. "Abandoned Garden" (Jobim tribute) Barefoot on the Beach Windham Hill/BMG "Barefoot on the Beach" Watching the Snow Sleeping Gypsy/Rhino "Christmas in Kyoto" Rendezvous in Rio Koch Records "Rendezvous in Rio" Time Together "Time Together" The Music in My Head "BeBop Headshop," "Waterfall" Recommended "Best" Recordings

For new listeners or those seeking high-fidelity collections, the following are often cited as his definitive works: Discography - Michael Franks Compilations / Live (Japan FLAC) | Year |

Here’s a feature-ready discography overview for Michael Franks covering 1973–2018 in FLAC (high-resolution / lossless), with a focus on the Japanese editions often regarded as the best sounding due to superior mastering and packaging.

Compilations / Live (Japan FLAC)

| Year | Title | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | 1992 | The Michael Franks Anthology: The Art of Love (Japan 2CD) | WPCR-4001/2 – definitive | | 2003 | Love Songs (Japan) | WPCR-11528 – excellent mastering | | 2010 | The Best of Michael Franks: Blue Pacific (Japan) | WPCR-13847 – includes rare edits | | 2014 | Live at the Jakarta (Japan broadcast FLAC) | Not official but traded in Hi-Res circles |

Final Listening Notes for the Audiophile

2. The Art of Tea (1976) – The Breakthrough

Why Japanese Pressings? Why FLAC?

Before diving into the discography, let’s address the collector’s ethos. Japanese CD editions (often labeled as SHM-CD, Platinum SHM-CD, or standard JVC pressings) are revered for several reasons:

  1. Superior Mastering: Japanese engineers often use the original master tapes with less dynamic range compression, offering a warmer, more transparent sound.
  2. Bonus Tracks: Japanese releases frequently include exclusive B-sides, live cuts, or alternate takes unavailable on US or European versions.
  3. Packaging: Faithful reproductions of original artwork, often with lyric booklets and obi strips.
  4. FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec): For the audiophile, FLAC preserves the full fidelity of these masterings (24-bit/96kHz or 16-bit/44.1kHz) without generation loss.

The keyword "flac ja best" suggests you want the best-sounding Japanese editions in lossless quality. Let’s break down Franks’ studio albums (1973–2018) and identify which Japanese FLAC rips are the most sought-after.

Selected studio albums (chronological highlights)

(Note: some titles, release years, and reissue names vary by territory and label; the list emphasizes widely known albums and official live/compilation releases through 2018.)

6. One Bad Habit (1980)

2. Chronological Discography & Best FLAC Sources (1973–2018)

| Year | Album | Best Japanese FLAC Source | Notes | |------|-------|---------------------------|-------| | 1973 | Previously Unavailable (debut, indie) | Japan-only 2007 reissue (PCD-9331) | Rare folk-jazz; 2007 remaster has best clarity. | | 1976 | The Art of Tea | Warner Japan SHM-CD (WPCR-27008) – 2011 | Features “Popsicle Toes”; SHM-CD improves laser reading. FLAC rip highly recommended. | | 1977 | Sleeping Gypsy | Warner Japan Blu-spec CD2 (WPCR-28009) – 2012 | Includes “The Lady Wants to Know.” Blu-spec yields tighter bass. | | 1978 | Burchfield Nines | Japan early pressing (WPCP-3439) + 2014 SHM-CD | “When I Give My Love to You” standout. Avoid 1990s US CD. | | 1979 | Tiger in the Rain | 24-bit / 96 kHz FLAC (Qobuz) + Japan SHM-CD (WPCR-75202) | Qobuz master is more dynamic than CD. | | 1980 | One Bad Habit | Japan mini-LP sleeve (WPCR-75203) | “On My Way Home to You.” Mini-LP replicates vinyl art. | | 1982 | Objects of Desire | Japan SHM-CD (WPCR-27011) | “Tell Me All About It.” Best digital master available. | | 1983 | Passionfruit | Warner Japan (32XD-558) – early pressing | Rare; dynamic range >12 dB. Hard to find FLAC. | | 1985 | Skin Dive | Japan Blu-spec CD (SICP-30087) – 2010 | “Your Secret’s Safe with Me.” Excellent separation. | | 1987 | The Camera Never Lies | Japan SHM-CD (WPCR-75209) | Includes duet with Brenda Russell. Top recommendation. | | 1990 | Blue Pacific | Japan Warner (WPCL-402) | Last of his “classic era” analog recordings. | | 1993 | Dragonfly Summer | Japan promo FLAC (rare) or US HDCD rip | “The Art of Love.” US HDCD version (if decoded) is superb. | | 1995 | Abandoned Garden | Japan (WPCR-737) | Features “Coming Home to You.” | | 1999 | Barefoot on the Beach | Japan (WPCR-10515) | Bonus track: “Now I Know Why (live).” | | 2003 | Watching the Snow | Japan (WPCR-11409) | Christmas album; best in FLAC for high-frequency bell tones. | | 2006 | Rendezvous in Rio | 24-bit / 96 kHz FLAC (HDtracks) | Digital native recording; hi-res reveals samba percussion. | | 2011 | Time Together | Japan SHM-CD (WPCR-14109) | Grammy-nominated. SHM-CD reduces jitter. | | 2018 | The Music in My Head | Japan Blu-spec CD2 (SICP-31220) – FLAC rip | Final album; Blu-spec + Japan mastering = definitive. |

16. Rendezvous in Rio (2006)