Joined at the hip (very hip) for four decades, they boast a passion for exploration and curiosity greater than Lewis and Clark's.
Seattle-based vibist Tom Collier and bassist Dan Dean have been playing music together since they were teens back in the '60s. Here, they gather with long-time friends, pianist Don Grusin, saxophonist Ernie Watts, and drummer Alex Acuna, to revisit the energy & spirit of their 1980 LP, "Whistling Midgets." With tight, fleet lines and rollicking grooves, the duo's time-earned telepathic musical connection makes "Sleek Buick" a festive treat. Also featured are drummer Ted Poor, trumpeter Allen Vizzutti, and saxophonist Gary Herbig.
1. Sleek Buick 4:10
2. California Avenue 4:58
3. WMB's 6:52
4. Touching 8:15
5. Lettercollum/Paris 6:25
6. A Corona Haze 3:57
7. Playas de Rosarito 3:59
8. Mallet Tech 5:31
9. Ethiopian 5:24
10. Walking In My Old Shoes 5:27
Tom Collier - Vibes, Marimba, Xylophone, Keyboards
Dan Dean - Bass, Percussion, Keyboards, Ukelele, Classical Guitar
Don Grusin - Piano, Rhodes, Keyboards
Alex Acuna - Drums
Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone
Gary Herbig - Alto & Baritone Saxophones
Ted Poor - Drums
Andy Leftwich - Mandolin, Fiddle
John Morton - Acoustic Guitar, Papoose Guitar, Dobro, Electric Guitar
Allen Vizzutti - Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet
Jon Goforth - Alto & Baritone Saxophones
Produced by Tom Collier & Dan Dean
Recorded by Reed Ruddy, Dan Dean, Erik Zobler & Don Grusin
Recorded at Studio X, Seattle, WA; DDP Studios, Mercer Island, WA;
Studio Zed, Porter Ranch, CA; and Bad Dog Studios, Monte Nido, CA
October 30, 2013 through March 30, 2014
Recorded at 96khz/24bit. Mastered For iTunes.
Mixed & mastered by Dan Dean at DDP Studios, Mercer Island, WA
Photography by Peter Albrektsen
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
Wouldn't you like to be able to say Don Grusin, Alex Acuna and Ernie Watts were your old pals? Wouldn't you like to have Allen Vizzutti and Gary Herbig in your Rolodex? This vibe/bass duo who've been at it for 40 years, since they were teens, can and does. Hip, creative but still accessible, everybody here is playing like they are having a g ...
Wondering Sound (Dave Sumner)
Real nice contemporary fusion recording, led out by vibraphonist Tom Collier, and also including some powerhouse names from the contemporary scene like Ernie Watts, Ted Poor, Alex Acuna and Don Grusin. Album starts out with a bluegrass ditty, with mandolinist Andy Leftwich spurring them on, then moves into more common territory. Songs have a nice m ...
Jazz Weekly (George W. Harris)
Here’s a fun loving disc from the Pacific Northwest. From Seattle, vibist Tom Collier and bassist Dan Dean bring together a varied and variegated collection of winsome and pulsating sounds that mix and match diverse instruments as dobro, ukulele, mandolin and fiddle as well as the normal collection of guitars, drums and reeds.
Intricate yet sw ...