I'm a sucker for jazz vibraphone. I own more Cal Tjader than is probably healthy. Martin Fabricius adds drum and bass to his sound, and he's a lot more introspective than Tjader. But man, when the vibes are played right, they shimmer to the core.

Martin Fabricius Trio New World (Zack's Music)

The structure of the trio means that Fabricius is front and center almost all the time. The uninitiated may thinks that the vibes are simply window dressing, but Fabricius is a supple and expressive player. It's hard to believe he can wring so many emotions out of his instrument.

As I noted at the top, these are not Tjader's Latin dance vibes. Fabricius is Danish, and this sounds a bit like a Danish noir novel reads. Lots of introspection and then a stunning revelation or two. He takes his time, but each of these pieces arrives right on time.

Yeah, it's a quiet one. There's nothing over the top or showy. Just vibes, bass and drums painting pictures. Listen for the details; there is always something not quite heard. This put me in a relaxed and curious mood. Perfect for questing.

Jon Worley