Maybe an early 70s Buzzy Linhart album? If you can find one for sale, that is – they meet your “rare” requirement, that’s for sure. He played vibes for various people (inc. Hendrix IIRC), but not sure if his albums under his own name are sufficiently psychedelic to meet your requirements.
Well that was an interesting suggestion – I’d vaguely heard of Buzzy. I just listened to his 1971 album “The Time To Live Is Now” and you’re right it’s not exactly psychedelia but he whips it out on vibes on one track, and the bass player on the album, one Bill Takas, is something of a virtuoso. And on his first album, buzzy, from 1969, he does Regggie D’s “Take Me To The Pilot”!
That is a classic AW question! I have no answer for you yet, but this article mentions that the late, great Ollie Halsall of Patto used to play vibraphone.
Psychedelia featuring vibes – hard bill to fill. Maybe he just needs to hear some good vibes players he doesn’t yet know. From the softer end of jazz, there’s the remarkable Walt Dickerson or the double act of Dave Samuels/David Frieman, who recorded at least one album for ECM under the name Double Image. Then there was the 1976 iteration of Gong, featuring two girls, Mireille Bauer and Benoit Moerlen, whose album Gazeuse has them punching out some fantastic cross-rhythms under the guitar soli of Allan Holdsworth and sax of Didier Malherbe. Saw them live at the time: thrilling and somewhat psychedelic, but not in the tradition of previous Gongs. And as a Zappa fancier, you’ll have played him Uncle Meat, where Artie Tripp “meets” Ruth Komanoff (later Underwood) for some of the greatest vibes recordings ever. One other name, Bobby Hutcherson, features on one of the early 60s faves, Out To Lunch, mentioned in the 61 years thread, which he also needs to deal with.
Your son may not have had African music in mind when he made his request, but this is rare, psychedelic with vibraphone and is now available on vinyl. This track is taken from the soundtrack to the film Ceddu. The label Africa Sevens has reissued it. Likely to be in a very limited quantity
I don’t know if other African music enthusiasts on the AW would agree, but I think Manu Dibango is extremely underrated, his early 70s releases compare favourably with the best psychedelic soul of the era.
Manu is a legend. Was fortunate enough to see him in London in the 80s- great. Quite a diverse catalogue in addition to his famous Makossa beat. I’ve got 2 albums of solo piano by him. A little bit too sweet but shows his diversity.
Thanks everyone! I’m sure there’s something there Mousey Jnr will love. Looking forward to checking out your suggestions with a nice glass of something tonight. Cheers then…
Good call for Mathar. I know its on a few compilations, but that From Latin To Jazz Dance series is excellent. Especially recommended for fans of the 1980s Jazz Juice compilations.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Maybe an early 70s Buzzy Linhart album? If you can find one for sale, that is – they meet your “rare” requirement, that’s for sure. He played vibes for various people (inc. Hendrix IIRC), but not sure if his albums under his own name are sufficiently psychedelic to meet your requirements.
Mousey says
Well that was an interesting suggestion – I’d vaguely heard of Buzzy. I just listened to his 1971 album “The Time To Live Is Now” and you’re right it’s not exactly psychedelia but he whips it out on vibes on one track, and the bass player on the album, one Bill Takas, is something of a virtuoso. And on his first album, buzzy, from 1969, he does Regggie D’s “Take Me To The Pilot”!
Still investigating… thanks
Kaisfatdad says
That is a classic AW question! I have no answer for you yet, but this article mentions that the late, great Ollie Halsall of Patto used to play vibraphone.
https://www.zeroto180.org/?p=15728
Wrong timeframe, but this sounds fairly out there.
https://mappa.bandcamp.com/album/sarah-hennies-sisters
Pessoa says
Yeah, Patto. This song is iffy but the vibraphone part near the end made a great sample for the Andy Vogel Vertigo mash-up album some years ago.
Pessoa says
And, if 70s vibraphone psychedelia is you son’s bag ( and that is bloody cool) he must already know Poli Palmer with Family , like this?
retropath2 says
And Mr Palmer and his mallets have a nice part time retirement gig with Brums Kate Gee band, with Bob Wilson, ex Steve Gibbons band, on guitar.
Mike_H says
From the psychedelic end of jazz, Gary Burton’s “Good Vibes” from 1970 on Atlantic Records.
(Las Vegas Tango)
Junior Wells says
Never a psychedelic thing were the vibes?
Jazz MJQ/ Burton
Funk Roy Ayers
Prog Soft Machine
And of course Zappa.
But psych?
Sniffity says
I’m told Adolf Hitler looked very relaxed when playing them.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Apart from when Val’s squeaky rocking chair got on his wick.
Feedback_File says
Cal Tjader – maybe not a 100% fit but groovy and exotic
Arthur Cowslip says
Wow. I cannot believe the amount of responses this thread is generating. Who knew 70s psychedelic vibraphone was even a thing??
Declan says
Psychedelia featuring vibes – hard bill to fill. Maybe he just needs to hear some good vibes players he doesn’t yet know. From the softer end of jazz, there’s the remarkable Walt Dickerson or the double act of Dave Samuels/David Frieman, who recorded at least one album for ECM under the name Double Image. Then there was the 1976 iteration of Gong, featuring two girls, Mireille Bauer and Benoit Moerlen, whose album Gazeuse has them punching out some fantastic cross-rhythms under the guitar soli of Allan Holdsworth and sax of Didier Malherbe. Saw them live at the time: thrilling and somewhat psychedelic, but not in the tradition of previous Gongs. And as a Zappa fancier, you’ll have played him Uncle Meat, where Artie Tripp “meets” Ruth Komanoff (later Underwood) for some of the greatest vibes recordings ever. One other name, Bobby Hutcherson, features on one of the early 60s faves, Out To Lunch, mentioned in the 61 years thread, which he also needs to deal with.
So find him a decent copy of Uncle Meat on vinyl.
Hope this helps.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Good call!
Alias says
Your son may not have had African music in mind when he made his request, but this is rare, psychedelic with vibraphone and is now available on vinyl. This track is taken from the soundtrack to the film Ceddu. The label Africa Sevens has reissued it. Likely to be in a very limited quantity
I don’t know if other African music enthusiasts on the AW would agree, but I think Manu Dibango is extremely underrated, his early 70s releases compare favourably with the best psychedelic soul of the era.
Junior Wells says
Manu is a legend. Was fortunate enough to see him in London in the 80s- great. Quite a diverse catalogue in addition to his famous Makossa beat. I’ve got 2 albums of solo piano by him. A little bit too sweet but shows his diversity.
Alias says
I was probably there, Town and Country, or Queen Elizabeth Hall perhaps.
He has 2 albums called Afrodelica. One is a compilation, the other a France only 1972 release. Both great.
Tiggerlion says
Not Seventies but the Lumerians and Aloha (their first two albums) are psychedelic-ish and feature vibes.
Kaisfatdad says
Continuing in an African vein, here is Herbie Mann featuring vibes player Johnny Rae.
Here is some background on this 1959 release.
http://www.ambientexotica.com/exorev310_herbiemann_africansuite/
Junior Wells says
Not a fan of vibes but I love Roy Ayers and particularly this collaboration with Fela Kuti from 1980
https://www.allmusic.com/album/music-of-many-colours-mw0000651217
Mousey says
Thanks everyone! I’m sure there’s something there Mousey Jnr will love. Looking forward to checking out your suggestions with a nice glass of something tonight. Cheers then…
fatima Xberg says
Paul Weller favorites The Dave Pike Set had some psychedelic moments on their late-60s albums, not least this:
Sitar and guitar played by the magnificent Volker Kriegel.
Here you can watch Dave Pike playing the vibraphone:
Alias says
Good call for Mathar. I know its on a few compilations, but that From Latin To Jazz Dance series is excellent. Especially recommended for fans of the 1980s Jazz Juice compilations.
Mike_H says
This might be the one, from Dave Pike. “Doors of Perception” from 1970.