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Vibraphonist Eldad Tarmu has been releasing albums as a leader since the late 90s and has worked as a sideman with top names such as; Mike Clark, Billy Higgins, Freddie Hubbard, Poncho Sanchez, Ernie Watts and many more. Although he usually writes original music, on his latest outing, “Silver on Aluminum”, Eldad has eschewed the originals to devote himself to interpreting the music of Horace Silver. The album’s title alludes to the idea of performing Horace’s music on the aluminum vibraphone. It’s an interesting concept because it allows the more percussive instrument to bring out the rhythmic complexities of Silver’s music. Some of this probably has to do with Eldad’s arrangements, but many of these tunes are mind boggling in their constant rhythmic changeups and challenges, this is especially evident on a track like, “Pyramid”.
Joining Tarmu for this endeavor are bassist Marty Isenberg and drummer Michael Shapira. This being a trio album, the rhythm section gets a lot of chances for interplay, the music is very conversational, but they are given very little solo space, this album is all about the vibraphone and it’s presence is a constant. Much of the music falls roughly into the hard bop genre, although with plenty of Latin and funk jazz rhythms as well. “No Smokin” is the high speed bop number and “Strollin” is the ballad. The recording quality is very clear and unadorned. This sounds like a microphone, or a couple of microphones, in a room with very little if any compression or fake reverb. In fact, you can clearly hear the room itself in the ambience.
As mentioned already, this music is complex and demanding, particularly in it’s rhythms. As Tarmu explains, “You can sight read this music and get all the notes right, but it can still sound terrible. Silver’s compositions require a deep emotional engagement.” The make or break for this album lies in the sound of the vibraphone itself. It is very persistent on here without a break and this may take some getting used to for some. Hang in there with this one because close listening will reveal some interesting takes on rhythm and structure. You may end up hearing the music of Horace Silver in a new way.
