Joe Chambers: Dance Kobina album review — a compelling showcase for the edgy drummer

American drummer Joe Chambers’ fine-tuned mastery of percussion first surfaced on the Blue Note label’s edgier mid-1960s releases. He retains that fractured pulse and rhythmic drive on this nicely balanced, mostly original set. Two ensembles are featured, one based in New York, the other from Montreal, and, with the benefit of multiple tracking, the metallic angularity of his vibraphone shimmers impressively. Taken overall, the album is a compelling showcase for Chambers’ multiple skills

The album opens with the New York rhythm section’s fluent piano-trio cover of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin’s “This is New”. The theme is set up by unison piano and bass. Robust solos unfold over walking-bass swing and the sparse ping of the drummer’s cymbals add urgency and thrust.

“Dance Kobina” comes next, built on a modal vamp, and played joyously by the Montreal band. Here Chambers’ clean precision gains tonal depth from the chatter of Elli Miller Maboungou’s Ngoma drums, and vibes and alto sax stretch out purposefully. Later in the set, “City of Saints”, written by pianist Andrés Vial, broods rhythmically, and the leader’s “Gazelle Suite” shape-shifts through a beguiling mix of riff-based percussion and minor-key blues.

The rest of the album is played by combinations of the New York ensemble. Pianist Richard Germanson and double bassist Mark Lewandowski are at the core, and their rich voicings and warm-toned support mesh beautifully with the leader’s vibraphone. The trio tracks “Intermezzo” and a cover of “Moon Dancer”, written by the Austrian guitarist Karl Ratzer, both stand out.

Elsewhere, “Caravanserai” adds a bustle of Latin percussion and finds Chambers stretching out on vibes. Two pieces have saxophonist Marvin Carter making a quintet: wistful alto on the gentle complexity of “Ruth”, peppery tenor sax on a surging cover of Joe Henderson’s “Power to the People”.

★★★★☆

‘Dance Kobina’ is released by Blue Note