Vibes Alive

Album: After Hours

Label: Swingding Records

Website:

www.vibesalivemusic.com
The two-man crew of Vibes Alive create a pavilion of lush smooth jazz fabrics on their latest release "After Hours" contoured in suavely drawn grooves, soft wafting vapors, and elegantly woven patterns that conjure visions of paradise and utopian-fanned harmonies. Comprised of vibraphonist Dirk Richter and guitarist/producer Randall Crissman, Vibes Alive render the services of several guest musicians on the recording including keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxophonist/flutist Gary Meek, percussionist player Luis Conte, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Jimmy Johnson, acoustic bass player Peter Smith, and trumpeter Bob Summers.

Vibes Alive's music shows total contentment making wide open spaces that give each instrument room to breathe, stretch out and express the joy in their hearts. Even when the instrument parts overlap, the tone of the album pervades a group-tranquility that puts the listener at complete ease.

The instruments move like sheets of satin in a gentle breeze through tracks like "Lighthouse" and the title track. The melodic chutes are molded from comfy ambient escapes hemmed by soft sonic twinkles with a calm dripping. Vibes Alive's music makes the listener feel like everyday is a beautiful day, and blows clean air into the melodic vessels like in "Hard To Say Goodbye" and "Open Door." The funky rhythmic panting of "Lunch Truck" has a 70s touch, while the peppy pumping of Summers trumpet through "Bright Lights" has a swing-jazz pulse. The Latin-tinged beats lining "Sambahia" give the tune a dancefloor vibe, and the elegant melodic phrasing of "Magnolia" wraps the listener in a cozy ambience as does the systematically restful motions of "In The Garden." The swing-jazz motifs and cheerful piano swags of "Blew Blues" have a happy-feet shuffle, as the uplifting feel of "Walk Away" hails the markings of a viable crowd pleaser.

Vibes Alive show expertise in making peaceful arias and a skillful precision at letting loose with jazz-inspired jamborees. Similarly to their self-titled debut album, Vibes Alive make everyday feel like orbs of happiness in the group's hands. Their album "After Hours" is like walking through a pavilion of fabrics made from pleasing tones and complementing designs. Their craftsmanship is inspiring and their sense of harmony is unwavering. From beginning to end, "After Hours" puts listeners at ease and has them breathing in clean air.

Learn more about this author, Susan Frances.
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