Bobby Hutcherson -][- Oblique [Blue Note]

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African American, Bobby Hutcherson, Jazz, Marimba, Vibes

For those of you that’s followed the postings here you’ve seen a few in reference to the legendary vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. OBLIQUE recorded in 1967 on Blue Note Records was and still is essential and classic Hutch. Funny thing, I hear some folks who lean more to contemporary jazz say recordings like this are irrelevant and outdated! In my opinion, it’s great to have the opportunity to dwell in the groove of classic gems like this while you’re chillin’ at home, work and just driving on the freeway listening to music of this caliber is an absolutely delightful experience. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Bobby Hutcherson - OBLIQUE

Bobby Hutcherson -][- Oblique – [Original recording remastered | Blue Note, 1967]

Bobby Hutcherson’s “Dialogue” is an undisputed modern jazz masterpiece, but in the last twenty years, the average fan would have been hard pressed to locate a second Blue Note album by the vibraphonist. Yes, many of his albums have been available as limited edition titles in the Connoisseur Series, or briefly at the dawn of the CD era before drifting out-of-print. But only with the recent reissue of “Oblique” in the RVG Edition Series (with different cover art than the original CD I might add), has another Hutch disc finally received a permanent place in the EMI catalog.

This July 21, 1967 session features three Hutcherson originals, Herbie Hancock’s “Theme from Blow Up” — the album’s catchiest tune — and two compositions by Joe Chambers, the title track and “Bi-Sectional.” Chambers’ writing talents have always amazed me for both their creativity and complexity (from a drummer, who knew?), and his contributions here are the album’s best. However, Hutch’s numbers have grown in stature as well from the days of “Components” and “Happenings” (he penned nothing on “Dialogue”), particularly on the opener “Til Then.” Of final interest to jazz aficionados is the presence of Albert Stinson, a bass virtuoso who died of a drug overdose in 1969 and left us precious few recordings. A delightful disc, there is nothing oblique about “Oblique.” —Michael B. Richman | Amazon Reviewer

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

Tom Collier | MALLET FANTASTIQUE

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Jazz, Marimba, Tom Collier, Vibraphone

Tom Collier - Mallet Fantastique

Tom Collier | MALLET FANTASTIQUE – [Origin Classical, 2010]

“From all the great musical control displayed on this CD, it would seem as if Collier must have an extra hand or two and therefore deserves three thumbs up” – Percussive Arts Society

Drawing from his own library of compositional works, mallet percussionist Tom Collier presents a deep and varied collection of works for marimba and vibraphone. He seamlessly weaves the timbres of the instruments on “Three Scenes for Vibraphone and Marimba,” and “Duettino Improvisando for Vibraphone and Marimba,” while “Marimba Fantastique” serves to cement both his compositional and improvisational prowess, intertwined with a deep musicality. Collier has maintained a strong professional presence for decades in Los Angeles and Seattle; from international tours, to major motion pictures, to holding the Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Washington.

..:: Source: Origin Classical ::..

Gary Burton’s Arrival: “Celebrating 50 Years”

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Gary Burton, Jazz, Marimba, Vibraphone

Gary Burton

Six-time Grammy-winning jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton, long associated with Berklee as a student, professor, and administrator, will celebrate an illustrious career and mark his 50-year connection with the college in a retrospective of his entire body of work on Thursday, April 8, 8:15 p.m., at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. In Gary Burton’s Arrival: Celebrating 50 Years, the grand finale to the 2009–2010 Music Series at Berklee, he will be joined by musical compatriots like Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Steve Swallow, Julian Lage, and many more.