Dave Pike - Moon Bird (1983) [vinyl]

Another one of the post-Europe Dave Pike recordings, with a sound that's a bit straighter than usual, but still with his usual great take on jazzy vibes playing. The title track's a nice breezy groover, and the LP also includes two more originals, one with a Latiny feel called "Set the Stage", the other with the usual Pike goofiness, called "Jumpy the Snail". ~ Dusty Groove.

Muse Records, MR 5261, 1983

Recorded At Sage & Sound Studio, Mastered at The Cutting Room, New York City

Musicians:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone

Tom Ranier - Keyboards, Synthesizer, Tenor Saxophone {#A3)

Ron Escheté - Guitar

Luther Hughes - Bass

Ted Hawke - Drums, Percussion

Buck Clark - Percussion (#A1-A3,B2)

Track Listing:

A1. Moon Bird {Dave Pike} (5:45)

A2. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (7:15)

A3. Jumpy The Snail {Dave Pike} (7:01)

B1. Set The Stage {Dave Pike} (5:04)

B2. Dream {Jimmy Mercer} (7:23)

B3. Anthropology {Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie} (6:16)

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - James Mooney

Mastered [Engineer] - Joe Brescio

Artwork [Cover], Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Fred Goodman

Dave Pike - Let The Minstrels Play On (1978) [vinyl>flac, re-rip]

Here is another dynamic group led by Dave Pike with a consistent array of tunes primarily set to expose a fusion of jazz ranging from bop through to some samba styled beats. Joined with him again as on "On A Gentle Note" is Ron Escheté on guitar, Luther Hughes on Bass and along with Tom Rainer on keyboards things really start to swing. Rainer turns his hand to Alto on "Groovin' High". A favourite of mine is "Icarus" by Ralph Towner where we get to hear some wonderful bowed Piccolo bass work by Luther Hughes. The use of Musical Box by Ted Hawke on "Swan Lake" adds an interesting intro and exit to the tune. The rhythm section with powerful drumming coming from Ted Hawke and percussion from Don Williams backs Pike's vibes to the tee. The album continues on from the previous delivering this time a broader repertoire of tunes exhibiting the skills of an imaginative and gifted musician and leader.

Muse Records, MR 5203, 1978

Recorded 22^nd & 23^rd March, 1978 at Sage & Sound Studio, Hollywood, California

Personnel:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone, Percussion

Tom Ranier - Keyboards, Alto Saxophone (#A3)

Ron Escheté - Guitar

Luther Hughes - Bass, Cello, Bass [Piccolo] (#B2)

Ted Hawke - Drums, Percussion, Musical Box (#B1)

Don Williams - Percussion

Carol Escheté - Vocals

Track Listing:

A1. Spirit's Samba {Ron Escheté } (6:50)

A2. Professor Porno's Romanc {Dave Pike} (6:04)

A3. Groovin' High {Dizzy Gillespie} (7:08)

B1. Swan Lake {Tchaikovsky} (9:27)

B2. Icarus {Ralph Towner} (5:26)

B3. Rabbi Mogen's Hideout {Dave Pike} (6:52)

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - James Mooney

Dave Pike - On A Gentle Note (1978) [vinyl>flac, re-rip]

After 1966, vibraphonist Dave Pike was primarily heard on European labels until he made his first album for Muse in 1975. His second effort for the label teams Pike with a variety of top L.A. players: Tom Ranier on electric piano (he plays alto on "Scrapple from the Apple"), guitarist Ron Eschete, bassist Luther Hughes, drummer Ted Hawke, and the obscure Rudolph Johnson on tenor. There are some unaccompanied solos (Eschete on "Everytime We Say Goodbye," Ranier's keyboard on "Gigi," and Pike on "Visions of Spain") and a fair amount of variety in the rhythms (ranging from straight-ahead to Latin and rock), making this a generally unpredictable (if now hard to find) LP. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5168, 1978

Recorded November & December 1977 at United Audio Studio, Santa Ana, California

Personnel:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone

Tom Ranier - Electric Piano, Alto Saxophone

Rudolph Johnson - Tenor Saxophone

Ron Eschete - Guitar

Luther Hughes - Bass

Ted Hawke - Drums, Percussion

Track Listing:

A1. Lazy Afternoon {John Latouche, Jerome Morass} (9:29)

A2. Gigi {Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (2:59)

Tom Ranier - Electric Piano [Soloist]

A3. Regards From Freddie Horowitz {Dave Pike} (7:58)

B1. Secret Mystery Of Hensch {Dave Pike, Volker Kreigel} (9:23)

B2. Everytime We Say Goodbye {Cole Porter} (2:23)

Ron Eschete - Guitar [Soloist]

B3. Scrapple From The Apple {Charlie Parker} (6:01)

Tom Ranier - Electric Piano [Soloist]

B4. Visions Of Spain {Dave Pike} (1:58)

Dave Pike - Vibraphone [Soloist]

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - Evan Williams

Art Direction, Design [Cover Illustration] - Tamar Zinn