| Year | Album Title | Key Tracks / Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Michael Franks | Debut album, re-released in 1983 as Previously Unavailable . Tracks: "King of Oklahoma," "Born with the Moon in Virgo." | | 1976 | The Art of Tea | His major-label debut, featuring his most famous songs. Gold certification. Tracks: "Popsicle Toes," "Eggplant." | | 1977 | Sleeping Gypsy | Often cited as a masterpiece, continuing his signature style. Gold certification. Tracks: "The Lady Wants to Know," "Antonio's Song (The Rainbow)." | | 1978 | Burchfield Nines | A fan favorite from the late '70s. Tracks: "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty." | | 1979 | Tiger in the Rain | A classic album from this period. Track: "Tiger in the Rain." | | 1980 | One Bad Habit | A commercial breakthrough, yielding the popular title track. | | 1982 | Objects of Desire | Continued his run of sophisticated pop-jazz. Tracks: "Jealousy," "Ladies' Nite." | | 1983 | Passionfruit | A beloved album among fans, considered by some to be his best. Tracks: "Rainy Night in Tokyo," "Tell Me All About It." | | 1985 | Skin Dive | Continued his collaboration with top-tier session musicians. | | 1987 | The Camera Never Lies | Features a duet with Art Garfunkel. | | 1990 | Blue Pacific | His first album of the '90s, considered a strong return to form. | | 1993 | Dragonfly Summer | His peak output year, featuring "The Art of Love." | | 1995 | Abandoned Garden | A more eclectic and less pop-oriented album. | | 1999 | Barefoot on the Beach | A highly praised album, with a title track that became one of his most-streamed songs. | | 2003 | Watching the Snow | A collection of romantic, seasonal-themed songs. | | 2006 | Rendezvous in Rio | An album heavily inspired by Brazilian music, a recurring theme in his work. | | 2011 | Time Together | His first album for the Shanachie label, praised for its continued quality. | | 2018 | The Music in My Head | Marks his return to recording after a seven-year hiatus, his most recent studio album. |
& Tiger in the Rain (1979) : These albums solidified his reputation for intelligent, laid-back jazz, with Tiger in the Rain reaching #68 on the US 200. The Evolution: Global Sounds & Maturity (1980–1999)
Michael Franks historically worked with industry-best producers (Tommy LiPuma, Claus Ogerman, Walter Becker) and elite studio musicians. Lossy formats like MP3 crush the delicate spatial depth of these sessions. michael franks discography 19732018 flac ja link
: Provides a directory of his major releases available for lossless download. Career Highlights
During this era, Franks focused on deeply thematic albums, stripped-back acoustic arrangements, and a profound appreciation for nature, art, and quiet moments. | Year | Album Title | Key Tracks
The 1980s saw Franks embrace contemporary production techniques, integrating subtle synthesizers and electronic percussion without sacrificing his jazz roots.
Which are you most excited to listen to first? Tracks: "Popsicle Toes," "Eggplant
. While you can find high-quality versions of these albums on platforms like (which offers FLAC downloads) and Apple Music
Michael Franks ' discography between 1973 and 2018 consists of 18 studio albums, transitioning from folk-pop beginnings to becoming a leading figure in the "Quiet Storm" and smooth jazz genres. Studio Discography (1973–2018) Album Title Michael Franks (reissued as Previously Unavailable ) Brut / DRG The Art of Tea Reprise / Warner Bros. Sleeping Gypsy Warner Bros. Burchfield Nines Warner Bros. Tiger in the Rain Warner Bros. One Bad Habit Warner Bros. Objects of Desire Warner Bros. Passionfruit Warner Bros. Skin Dive Warner Bros. The Camera Never Lies Warner Bros. Blue Pacific Reprise / Warner Bros. Dragonfly Summer Warner Bros. Abandoned Garden Warner Bros. Barefoot on the Beach Windham Hill / BMG Watching the Snow Sleeping Gypsy / Rhino Rendezvous in Rio Koch Records Time Together The Music in My Head Purchasing and High-Resolution Audio