Tribute To Bobby

excellent

Marimba and vibraphone player Steve Hobbs entertains audiences with a bebop-Latin-calypso fusion entitled Tribute to Bobby. The release is dedicated to his mentor and late friend Bobby Hutcherson. Joining Hobbs are tenor and soprano saxophonist Adam Kolker, pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer John Riley. Ranging from original material to covers of jazz standards and classic pop songs, Hobbs presents a collection made to entertain audiences at nightclubs and intimate venues.Appealing to fans of post bop, the group starts off with the evenly keeled "The Craving Phenomenon," meticulously measured in recurring motifs. The recording then traverses into the eclectic chimes of "Into the Storm," strapped to a nimbly coasting calypso beat. The saccharine enriched tunage continues with the island ambience of "Besame Mucho," a signature number for Consuelo Velasquez. The mixture of Latin and bebop fused together in "New Creation," an original number by Hobbs, showcases the swiveling tweets of saxophonist Adam Kolker."Millie" is a model of slow burning ruminations as the vibes and piano intertwine elegantly, forming delicate shapes in their notations. The group kicks up the tempo to a bouncy stroll along "Thelonious Funk," and through the Latin-imbued pop tune "The Road To Happy Destiny," featuring the bluesy vocalizing of Marvin Thorne, Maurice Myers, and Carol Ingbretsen. Their vocal harmonies give the track a deeper dimension.Another gem on the album is "Blowing in the Wind," as the soft throbs emanating from the vibraphone inscribe graceful swells, which change to a jangly calypso shudder along "El Sueno de Horace Silver." The Latin fringes binding "Let's Go To Abacoi" display the musicians ability to customize melodies that appeal to audiences.Classically strewn and aurally uplifting, Hobbs' nibbling vibes and shimmering marimba infuse floating sensations along the recording. This is the group's third effort, following their first CD Spring Cycle in 2007, and their critically acclaimed Vibes Straight Up in 2010.

Marimba / vibes veteran Steve Hobbs releases his strongest recoding yet. The recording is centered mostly around cutting edge originals by Hobbs encompassing modern mainstream examples of post bop, Latin, Funk, Calypso, and more….arranged and performed with the typical creative and hard edged energy you are used to hearing on his past New York recordings. Hobbs centered the music around marimba, dedicating the recording to his mentor and late friend Bobby Hutcherson. This album is a beautiful tribute to Bobby Hutcherson. The playing is masterful, the compositions beautiful, and show a Bobby Hutcherson influence - in essence, a heartfelt and touching tribute,The ensemble is Steve Hobbs - marimba, vibraphone, Adam Kolker - tenor and soprano saxophones, Bill O’Connell – piano, Peter Washington – bass, John Riley – drums, and Carol Ingbretsen, Maurice Myers, Marvin Thorne – vocals.The tracks are The Craving Phenomenon, Into The Storm, Besame Mucho, New Creation, Tres Vias; Millie, Thelonious Funk, The Road To Happy Destiny, Blowing In The Wind, El Sueno De Horace Silver, In From The Storm, Let’s Go To Abaco! and Where Or When.Masterful playing, terrific compositions, and a fine tribute to Bobby Hutcherson. Grady Harp, November 17