Mecca for Moderns is the sixth studio album by the Manhattan Transfer. It was released in 1981 by Atlantic Records. This album was the highest-charting album to date for the group, peaking on Billboard magazine's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart at No. 22. With this album, the Manhattan Transfer became the first group to win Grammy Awards in both the pop and jazz categories in the same year.

Awards

The song "The Boy from New York City" became their first top 10 hit, reaching number 7 on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 chart. This song also won the group the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. The song "Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)" also earned them a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group. The song "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" which was arranged by Gene Puerling, won the Grammy Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices. The song "Spies in the Night", which incorporates the "James Bond Theme", also charted on Billboard Magazine's Bubbling Under chart, peaking at number 103.

Album name

According to Tim Hauser, he picked up the name for this album from a Duke Ellington album entitled Live at the Blue Note 1952. "While reading the cover, he noticed it said 'The Blue Note was a haven for the smart set, in fact, the real mecca for moderns.' The group liked the phrase, and it fit well with the album concept."

Track listing

Personnel

The Manhattan Transfer

Musicians

Production