Drummer Joe Chambers is best known for playing on a long list of critically acclaimed Blue Note jazz albums in the 1960s. These include Joe Henderson's Mode for Joe; Freddie Hubbard's Breaking Point; Dialogue, Components, Happenings and Total Eclipse by Bobby Hutcherson; Tender Moments by McCoy Tyner; Andrew!!! and Compulsion!!! by Andrew Hill as well as All Seeing Eye, Adam's Apple and Schizophrenia by Wayne Shorter. [Photo above of Joe Chambers in the 1960s by Francis Wolff (c)Mosaic Images]
He also played on Chick Corea's Tones For Joan's Bones, Woody Shaw's In the Beginning and in Max Roach's M'Boom percussion ensemble and Charles Mingus's groups in the 1970s. In addition to his intricate, sensitive polyrhythmic drum style, Chambers is a gifted vibraphonist and pianist.
His new album is Dance Kobina (Blue Note), proving once again that the 80-year-old percussionist still has it. The album is superb. What's most beautiful about the album and Chambers's playing is that he has retained the flavors of many totemic greats he has played with over the decades.
Produced and arranged by Chambers, the album features him backed by a range of players, depending on the song's rhythmic and modal mood. Here are the nine tracks and personnel for each:
1. This Is New (Kurt Weill)—Joe Chambers (drums, vibraphone and percussion), Richard Germanson (piano) and Mark Lewandowski (bass).
2. Dance Kobina (Andrés Vial)—Joe Chambers (drums), Caoilainn Power (alto saxophone), Andrés Vial (piano), Michael Davidson (vibraphone), Ira Coleman (bass) and Elli Miller Maboungou (ngoma drums).
3. Ruth (Joe Chambers)—Joe Chambers (drums, vibraphone and percussion), Richard Germanson (piano), Mark Lewandowski (bass), Emilio Valdes Cortes (Latin percussion) and Marvin Carter (alto saxophone).
4. Caravanserai (Joe Chambers)—Joe Chambers (drums, vibraphone), Richard Germanson (piano), Mark Lewandowski (bass) and Emilio Valdes Cortes (Latin percussion)
5. City of Saints (Andrés Vial)—Joe Chambers (drums), Caoilainn Power (alto saxophone), Andrés Vial (piano), Michael Davidson (vibraphone), Ira Coleman (bass) and Elli Miller Maboungou (ngoma drums).
6. Gazelle Suite (Joe Chambers)—Joe Chambers (drums), Caoilainn Power (alto saxophone), Andrés Vial (piano and bombos legüeros), Michael Davidson (vibraphone and marimba), Ira Coleman (bass) and Elli Miller Maboungou (ngoma drums).
7. Intermezzo (Joe Chambers)—Joe Chambers (drums, vibraphone and percussion), Richard Germanson (piano) and Mark Lewandowski (bass).
8. Power to the People (Joe Henderson)—Joe Chambers (drums, vibraphone and percussion), Richard Germanson (piano). Mark Lewandowski (bass) Emilio Valdes Cortes (Latin percussion) and Marvin Carter (tenor saxophone).
9. Moon Dancer (Karl Ratzer)—Joe Chambers (drums, vibraphone and percussion), Richard Germanson (piano) and Mark Lewandowski (bass).
What I love most about Dance Kobina is that you can listen to it from start to finish and be completely engaged in the art, one track after the next. It also can be counted among the Blue Note label's standouts, just like the ones listed at the top of this post.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Joe Chambers's Dance Kobina (Blue Note) here.
JazzWax clips: Here's the title track (dig Chambers's polyrhythmic figures)...
Here's City of Saints...
And here's Moon Dancer...