Featured Artist: Steve Shaprio

CD Title: Xylophobia

Year: 2001

Record Label: Curious Jazz Records

Style: Smooth Jazz

Musicians: Steve Shapiro (vibes, marimba), Pat Bergeson (guitars, harmonica), Marc Johnson (bass), Kevin Hays (piano, wurlitzer), Danny Gottlieb (drums), Tim Ries (tenor sax, flute), Michael Davis (trombone), Jim Hynes (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Review: First off, I want to say that I had not heard of Steve Shapiro prior to popping this disc in my player. I have no previous knowledge of him prior to this recording. Steve Shapiro offers us this fine collection of his Marimba and Vibes based smooth jazz. This is some great stuff, if you have an appreciation for Marimba and Vibes (which I do). Steve has a full band backing him up, including horns. According to the profile, this is Steve's debut Vibes CD, but Steve has been working professionally since 1985. The profile sheet also states that Steve appeared on Steely Dan's Two Against Nature disc. Steve has been around the scene for years, and it shows in his talents.

My overall impression of this CD is that it maintains enough variety to keep your attention, while also maintaining continuity. I love this disc.

Let's talk about some of the tracks:

1. Superdeluxe

This is a great kick off tune, and sets a solid groove. Steve shows his strong composition skills right off the bat. This tune features nice horn arrangements, and some great piano work by Kevin Hays. Nothing wrong here, and you can't help but enjoy the song. A bass solo by Marc Johnson adds that extra touch, which starts this CD off with a full sounding introduction to Steve's talents.

2. Circular Bossa

Another Shapiro composition, which fulfills the title. This has the textbook Bossa Nova feel. The featured opening lead instrument is the harmonica, which adds a nice difference to the soft elegant feel. Then Steve takes over on the Vibes, and we settle into a feel that made me think of dinner on a cruise ship. The trouble with this type of song is that it ends up sitting in the background of just about every event. Still a very nice piece, and very soothing.

3. Xylophobia

The third track is another of Steve's, and this one has another solid groove to it. The opening lead melody is carried by both the Marimba and the horns. Tim Ries, Michael Davis, and Jim Hynes give us a nice full sound for the horn section. This is a basic smooth jazz tune, with a medium tempo. Right when I'm ready to call this a soul tune, we change up to a straight jazz swing tempo. Kevin Hays takes over on the piano, and we have the sound of a basic jazz trio (drums, bass, and piano) going. This is a welcome surprise, to what was becoming a predictable tune. I applaud Steve for this risk. I like it. We settle back into the opening groove, and are treated to an impressive Marimba solo.

4. Just You

Here we have a Pat Bergeson tune, which opens with ambient Vibes. We are then introduced to the melody with Vibes and acoustic guitar provided by Pat. This has a decidedly different feel from the first three tunes, which is a good thing. Steve does a most excellent job of soloing over the acoustic guitar. Nice quiet piece.

5. Ennui

This is another of Steve's compositions, but has a more tribal feel to it. We have some tribal percussion and some interesting effects on the Marimba, driving us into an almost techno feel. Then we have the techno drums kick in, but not with the overbearing dance club feel. More of a background driving feel. The horns carry the opening melody, while the Marimba holds down the rhythm. A bridge in the middle, features Vibes and acoustic guitar, and then adds the rest of the group while losing the tribal feel. This is a nice changeup, to help breakup potential monotony for the listener. This tune is another nice change, while still within the continuity of the overall release.

6. A Remark You Made

Here we have a version of the classic Weather Report tune. I can say I honestly enjoy this version as much as I do the original. Steve does a great job of recreating Jaco's lead line, and Marc Johnson does a nice job of keeping the fretless bass feel of the original. Marc also carries the lead in unison with Steve, as was done with the original. Some nice guitar work and a smooth groove, help add some texture to the composition. Steve's lead Marimba work is much more soothing to me than the synth that Zawinul used in the original. I also like the more traditional jazz feel to this, even though I am a fan of the original Weather Report version. Nice job Steve.

7. And Then...

We are back to Steve's writing, and we are treated to another quiet ballad piece. Piano introduces the song, and the Vibes come in to accompany the piano. We then get the drums and bass added, in soft jazz feel. Guitar decorates the background, but Vibes are upfront carrying a solid soft melody. Marc Johnson treats us to a great bass solo, adding to the soft cafe type feel. This tune takes me into a smoke filled club that's only about half full, and nobody is paying attention to the band. Maybe Bogart should be walking through this scene.

8. Miltolgy

Steve's writing for us again, and here we kick off with a standard jazz swing feel. The Vibes take the lead melody, and this song just swings. The nice traditional feel definitely reminds me of the great Lionel Hampton, but updated. Another great tune, in my opinion.

9. Semblence

Here we have a Keith Jarrett composition. This is all about the Vibes. Solo Vibes, and perfectly played. Short and sweet, at right about a minute and a half. What more can I say.

10. Fuzzy Logic

Another Shapiro piece, which starts out with solo bass. Then we get the rest of the band, with a nice Vibe based melody. The horn arrangement does a nice job of supporting the melody. Pat Bergeson delivers some tasty guitar work on this one. Nice piano solo from Kevin Hays. We do have the pleasure of getting a mid-song drum solo from Danny Gottlieb, while the rest of the group holds down the groove. I particularly like the quick moment when we hear the horns pulling a riff from the Odd Couple TV theme song. There's not much more to say about the tune. Just a solid song with a smooth jazz groove.

11. Sam's Tune

This is the second Pat Bergeson composition on the release, and starts off with a nice acoustic guitar. Then the keyboards, bass, and drums join in. Acoustic guitar and Marimba share the melody, with the Vibes echoing the melody. Very nice mid-tempo song with soft percussion. Nothing overbearing here. I like Pat's guitar style, and I like the way Steve worked both the Vibes and Marimbas.

12. Rain

We end with a final Shapiro tune, and this one starts off with the ambient feel. Synth pads and acoustic guitar provide the foundation, while Steve and Pat carry the lead melody. This is a soft ending tune, which includes some nice soloing from Steve on his Marimba. Pat also adds some nice work that is only on the acoustic guitar. It's all very soft, and makes me think of the journey coming to an end.

Tracks: Superdeluxe, Circular Bossa, Xylophobia, Just You, Ennui, A Remark You Make, And Then..., Miltology, Semblence, Fuzzy Logic, Sam's Tune, Rain

Artist's Website: http://www.xylophobia.com

Reviewed by: Tim Hamm

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