Remastered re-issue of the only album by the short-lived fusion supergroup feat. Victor Bailey, Lenny White, Randy Brecker, Ray Gomez

Four days before Christmas 2025, Polish saxophonist, violinist, arranger, producer, and composer Michal Urbaniak passed away at the age of 82.

In the late 1980s, the prolific multi-instrumentalist - who had collaborated with artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Quincy Jones - assembled the supergroup Milky Way for a recording project. The band's lineup was a veritable who's who of jazz-rock and fusion, featuring three-time Grammy Award winner Lenny White of Chick Corea's Return to Forever; bassist Victor Bailey of Weather Report; guitarist Ray Gomez, known for his work with the Joachim Kühn Band; trumpeter Randy Brecker of the Brecker Brothers, who had also performed with Blood, Sweat & Tears; and vocalist Nicki Richards, whose credits include Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, and Tina Turner. What more could a devoted fan ask for?

In 1989, legendary German concert promoter and music entrepreneur Fritz Rau signed Milky Way and released the group's self-titled album on his Frankfurt-based label, L+R Records. In the United States, the album was issued by the California-based label Optimism, which was also home to fusion artists such as Stanley Clarke and Alphonse Mouzon. For years, Milky Way has been unavailable on both CD and vinyl, making it a highly sought-after collector's item among fusion enthusiasts. Now, in tribute to Michał Urbaniak, a newly revised and remastered edition is being released once again on both formats.

The vinyl version will also be available as a limited-edition in random color, offering fans a fitting commemorative release of this long-overlooked fusion gem.

Media

Track Listing

• Minimal Samba
• Out Of Brooklyn
• Cruisin
• Ofra Haza
• Cool Wave
• Milky Way
• Ice Palace
• The Mysterious Bookshop
• Overture
• Kolotek
• Destiny

Additional Details

Label: Art Of Groove

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 47:16 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 10/09/26

UPC: 885513036827