Silence - Gentle Noise

Description

The American vibraphonist Dave Pike became famous for his work throughout the 60s with popular jazz flutist Herbie Mann, recording 11 albums with Mann's groups, also recorded with legendary pianists Bill Evans and Paul Bley. Moving to Europe, the Dave Pike Set became an instant success thanks to the combination of Pike's vibes playing and the electric, acoustic guitar and sitar playing of German Volker Kriegel. Kriegel's compositions helped create the unique sound of the quartet, encompassing jazz, funk, psychedelia, avant-garde, and ethno. The papal "I'm on My Way" is followed by the folk blues "Regards From Freddy Horrowitz." The beautiful ballad "Somewhat Somewhere Somehow" features Kriegel, and the bluesy title track jumps in double time with stellar guitar, vibes, and bass solos. On "Mother People," Kriegel reworks a composition by Frank Zappa into an unrestrained centerpiece. Kriegel grabs the sitar on "Mathar" as jazz-rock competes with the East, and the poignant waltz ballad "Vian-De" highlights the vibes. "Teaming Up" takes off at a dizzying speed with some open detours along the way. "Walking Down the Highway" celebrates the group's dilapidated red Citroën, as they easily maneuver through the signature 13/4. The first of the six albums Pike recorded for MPS, it exquisitely narrates the beginnings of a group that achieved popularity while maintaining its unique and adventurous musical vision. MPS has released the reissue of this album on CD (Digipak) and 180g Vinyl. The original master tape has been digitized for audio in the usual MPS quality and refreshed for the CDs and LPs with subtle remastering. The illustration has been enlarged to include additional photos from the group's recording session at the MPS Studio in Villingen.