Milky Way – Milky Way

Re-issue of the only album by the short-lived fusion supergroup featuring members of Weather Report (Victor Bailey), Return to Forever (Lenny White), the Brecker Brothers (Randy Brecker), Prince, and the Joachim Kuhn Band (Ray Gomez) features an all-star lineup whose members have collectively earned numerous Grammy Award – Led by “Grand Prix” award-winner Michal Urbaniak, renowned for his work with Miles Davis, including the groundbreaking album Tutu – unavailable on CD or vinyl for decades – now finally remastered and reissued (also available on vinyl in a random color, limited to 500 copies worldwide).

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 Kuhn 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 Michal 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 picture disc, offering fans a fitting commemorative release of this long-overlooked fusion gem.