Page "Pat Metheny Group" Paragraph 8

Then next three Pat Metheny Group releases would be based around a further intensification of the Brazilian rhythms first heard in the early ' 80s.

Additional South American musicians appear as guests, notably Brazilian percussion player Armando Marcal.

Still Life ( Talking ), ( 1987 ) was the Group's first release on new label, Geffen Records, and featured several tracks which have long been popular with the group's followers, and which are still in their setlist.

In particular, the album's first tune, " Minuano ( Six Eight )", represents a good example of the Pat Metheny group compositional style from this period: the track starts with a haunting minor section from Mays, lifts off in a typical Methenian jubilant major melody, leading to a Maysian metric and harmonically-modulated interlude, creating suspense which is finally resolved in the Methenian major theme.

Another popular highlight was " Last Train Home ", a rhythmically relentless piece evoking the American Midwest.

The 1989 release Letter from Home continued this approach, with the South American influence becoming even more prevalent in its bossa nova and samba rhythms.