With HOTEL HELLO, longtime collaborators vibraphonist Gary Burton and bassist Steve Swallow deliver a stylistically mixed bag of tunes that showcases both of the musicians' thoughtful, measured approaches to improvisation. Swallow's talents as a composer and pianist are also on display, and his work in these areas mirrors the feel of his cerebral, always just-so bass lines. Fans of the spacious "ECM sound" will find a lot to like here, but the duo also throws a few curve balls: the wah-wah-infused "Inside In" finds Swallow atypically bringing the funk, while the typewriter-like rhythms of "Hotel Overture" make the tune sound a bit like Weather Report jamming on an evening news theme.
Vibraphonist Gary Burton and bassist Steve Swallow had played together on a regular basis since 1967. This duet outling finds Burton switching between vibes, organ and marimba while Swallow doubles on occasional piano. As expected, the music is introverted, quiet, and accasionally swinging, but mostly floating. Burton and Swallow perform group originals (generally by Swallow), plus Carla Bley's "Vashkar" and Mile Gibbs "Inside In". Thoughtful background music with no real surprises or excitement. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Tracks
1. Chelsea Bells/for Hern (Steve Swallow)
2. Hotel Overture + Vamp (Steve swallow)
3. Hotel Hello (Steve Swallow)
4. Inside In (Mike Gibbs)
5. Domino Biscuit (Steve Swallow)
6. Vaskkar (Carla Bley)
7. Sweet Henry (Steve Swallow)
8. Impromptu (Gary Burton/Steve Swallow)
9. Sweeping up (Steve Swallow)
GARY BURTON vibraharp, organ, marimba
STEVE SWALLOW bass, piano
Recorded May 13, 14, 1974 at Aengus Studio, Fayville, Mass
ECM 1055
Vibraphonist Gary Burton and bassist Steve Swallow had played together on a regular basis since 1967. This duet outling finds Burton switching between vibes, organ and marimba while Swallow doubles on occasional piano. As expected, the music is introverted, quiet, and accasionally swinging, but mostly floating. Burton and Swallow perform group originals (generally by Swallow), plus Carla Bley's "Vashkar" and Mile Gibbs "Inside In". Thoughtful background music with no real surprises or excitement. Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Tracks
1. Chelsea Bells/for Hern (Steve Swallow)
2. Hotel Overture + Vamp (Steve swallow)
3. Hotel Hello (Steve Swallow)
4. Inside In (Mike Gibbs)
5. Domino Biscuit (Steve Swallow)
6. Vaskkar (Carla Bley)
7. Sweet Henry (Steve Swallow)
8. Impromptu (Gary Burton/Steve Swallow)
9. Sweeping up (Steve Swallow)
GARY BURTON vibraharp, organ, marimba
STEVE SWALLOW bass, piano
Recorded May 13, 14, 1974 at Aengus Studio, Fayville, Mass
ECM 1055