A continuation of the soft, lyrical style, featuring classic smooth jazz atmosphere. The Smooth Jazz Evolution: 1980s & 1990s
| Year | Album Title | Key Label(s) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1973 | Michael Franks (re-released in 1983 as Previously Unavailable ) | Brut / DRG | | 1976 | The Art of Tea | Reprise / Warner Bros. | | 1977 | Sleeping Gypsy | Warner Bros. | | 1978 | Burchfield Nines | Warner Bros. | | 1979 | Tiger in the Rain | Warner Bros. | | 1980 | One Bad Habit | Warner Bros. | | 1982 | Objects of Desire | Warner Bros. | | 1983 | Passionfruit | Warner Bros. | | 1985 | Skin Dive | Warner Bros. | | 1987 | The Camera Never Lies | Warner Bros. | | 1990 | Blue Pacific | Reprise / Warner Bros. | | 1993 | Dragonfly Summer | Warner Bros. | | 1995 | Abandoned Garden | Warner Bros. | | 1999 | Barefoot on the Beach | Windham Hill / BMG | | 2003 | Watching the Snow | Sleeping Gypsy / Rhino / Atlantic | | 2006 | Rendezvous in Rio | Koch Records | | 2011 | Time Together | Shanachie | | 2018 | The Music in My Head | Shanachie |
In the 21st century, Franks slowed his release pace but heightened his focus on organic, acoustic jazz. His later albums are masterclasses in elegant aging, featuring rich storytelling and relaxed tempos.
Michael Franks is the king of smooth jazz and sophisticated pop. His music combines clever lyrics with jazz rhythms. For audiophiles, listening to his work in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format is the best way to experience his detailed production.
While western reissues are often subject to the "Loudness War" (compressing dynamic range to make music seem louder), Japanese mastering engineers traditionally prioritize fidelity and preserving the original dynamic range. This means you hear the music as the artist intended, with subtle details in the bass and treble intact. michael franks discography 19732018 flac ja best
Which or track from this list do you want to find first?
When listening to Michael Franks in high-resolution FLAC (especially 24-bit or 16-bit/44.1kHz rips from Japanese pressings), you will notice:
A celebratory return to his Brazilian bossa nova roots. Key Tracks: "Under the Sun," "The Cool School." Time Together (2011)
Atmospheric, warm, and perfect for late-night listening. Key Tracks: "String of Pearls," "Monk's New Tune." Abandoned Garden (1995) A continuation of the soft, lyrical style, featuring
Franks returns to his deepest love: Brazilian bossa nova. The dynamic range on this album is massive, making FLAC files essential to enjoy the soft shaker instruments and nylon guitars. Time Together (2011)
Which (70s, 80s, or modern) you want to prioritize?
The foundation of Franks' legacy was built during his initial burst of creative output, a period of remarkable consistency and artistic growth.
Recorded in Brazil, deepening his love affair with authentic bossa nova grooves. Key Tracks: "The Lady Wants to Know," "Down in Brazil." | | 1978 | Burchfield Nines | Warner Bros
A smoother, more polished New York studio album. The title track features beautiful electric piano work that sparkles in high resolution. One Bad Habit (1980)
The Ultimate Guide to Michael Franks’ Discography (1973–2018) in FLAC
Before the polished production of his major-label years, there was this humble, folk-inflected debut, originally released on the small Brut label. It was later reissued under the title , a name that proved prophetic for collectors for many years.
A deeply personal, melancholy tribute to his late friend and mentor, Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The preservation of this discography in FLAC is not merely about file size; it is about preserving the intent of the producers. Michael Franks’ music relies on "air"—the space between instruments. Lossy compression collapses this space, turning a three-dimensional stage into a flat image. The "JA Best" collection restores that stage.