Dickerson, Walt – “1976” – [Candid Productions]

Cousin Mary   7/5/2011   CD, Jazz

What a joy to discover Walt Dickerson, a vibe player who re-invents its place in jazz. Dickerson uses rubber (rather than felt) mallets and holds them closer to the heads for a shimmering bell-like sound and blistering speed. Very cool tracks from a 1976 recording session. Track 2 treats us to a vibraphone solo. Listen for Jamaaladeen Tacuma on electric bass on track 1, astonishing drumming from Edgar Bateman, Jr., and Wilbur Ware’s fine bass on tracks 3,4,5. Don’t worry about the old standards on tracks 4 and 5, they will sound the opposite of cliched.