The
vibraphone was developed in the '20's and found soon the way to jazz
musicians. Jazz legends like Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, Milt
Jackson, Cal Tjader and Dave Samuels made the instrument popular. In
the acid jazz genre interprets are besides the famous Roy Ayers,
Roger Beaujolais (The Beaujolais Band, Vibraphonic) and Mike Benn
(Duboniks). Vibraphone players of the smooth jazz genre are Michael Ortega and
Dirk Richter.
Vibist Dirk
Richter joined Randall Crissman, a guitar playing television and movie
composer. Both founded the group Vibes Alive called after their
first album, which was released in 1997 on Syndrome Records.
Guest-musicians on this ambitious album were Jeff Lorber, Luis Conte,
Jimmy Johnson, Jimmy Haslip and Carlos Vega. After a long hiatus of
eleven years Vibes Alive is back with their sophomore album After
Hours (2008). Guests on the new album are Jeff Lorber, Luis Conte,
Vinnie Colaiuta, Jimmy Johnson and Gary Meek. According to Dirk
Richter, the music is about “going back to the basics of creating
music.”
The album starts
with the up-tempo Lighthouse. Dirk Richter defines the theme on
the vibraphone, while Jeff Lorber answers on the Wurlitzer electric
piano. This tune will be released as first single.
After Hours
is featuring saxophonist Gary Meek, who accompanies Dirk's performance
in a smooth intimate way. Dirk Richter prefers short themes with a
hypnotic repetition. These themes are usually the starting point for
short solos.
The romantic
ballade Hard To Say Goodbye calms down listener's mood. On
Lunch Track Jeff Lorber's performs on the Wurlitzer piano and the
clavinet. Piano and vibes are complementing each other perfectly.
Tunes like Open
Door reveal the brilliant arrangement of all instruments running
seamlessly in each other. Sambahia (Samba and Bahia) brings
some Brazilian flavor. While Luis Conte and Vinnie Colaiuta hold up
the Bossa Nova flag, Dirk Richter (vibes) and Garry Meek (flute)
shines with mesmerizing solos.
We can enjoy the
luckiest moments in the shady or sunny places of our gardens. In
The Garden reminds of these moments with a refreshing
melody. Bright Lights features trumpet player Bob Summer, who
accompanies Dirk so perfectly that you have to listen closely to
recognize that two instrumentalists are performing. Randall Crissmann adds a furious guitar solo with a distortion note.
Like the colorful
flower Magnolia grows this tune with all its blooms in your
mind. Walk Away streams from a theme, which is repeated by the
instruments in swinging and vibrations like church bells.
The final Blew
Blues is a short excursion into blues and jazz. A great jam
session with much interaction and improvisation. A coherent sound of
professional musicians.
We clearly
recognize, the return of vibraphone is overdue. After Hours is
the first step for the renaissance of vibes. A restoration build by
Vibes Alive.
