It has been said that the sound of ringing bells brings joy and positivity to all that hear. The same could be said when mallet hits bar on the vibraphone and even more so when Dave Pike is in command. Dave Pike Set’s Live at the Philharmonie oozes the sound of joy and positivity, as well as thought-provoking introspection that provides the space and creative freedom for lengthy, take-flight, psychedelic, live jazz improvisation.
In the late 60’s, Dave Pike left the US for Germany hoping to align himself with more free-thinking jazz players and enthusiasts. He formed a quartet which he named Dave Pike Set including German players-- guitarist Volker Kriegel, bassist Johann Anton Rettenbacher, and drummer Peter Baumeister. Recorded live at the Berlin Jazztage on November 7th, 1969 at Berlin Philharmonie, Live at the Philharmonie was the third release from the group on Germany’s MPS Records label. It consists of five tracks of original compositions by either Pike, Kriegel, and Rettenbacher. It’s a thirty-two minute journey rich with the complicated, yet pleasing sounds of pyschedelic rock, world, Latin, classical, blues, soul, funk and even country intersecting with jazz.
“Hey Duke” is a swinging nod to Duke Ellington, composed by Pike and Kriegel and colors vibrant sounds outside the traditional jazz lines. “Mambo Jack the Scoffer” brings attention to the intricate guitar picking of Krieger and heavily infused with a country twang while the vibes and rhythm section dance happily and joyfully around the guitar’s lead. “Riff for Rent” is a soulful pairing of Krieger and Pike taking turns commanding their instruments while Rettenbacher and Baumeister seamlessly close the rhythm gaps.
The standout track for me is “Nobody’s Afraid of Howard Monster”. The solos are remarkable, and each musician is given their proper time and light to shine. Dave Pike does nothing short of hypnotize once he summons the magic to the mallet on the vibraphone and the listener cannot help but get dizzied in the groove. Once you regain your footing, Volker Kriegel takes over and spins you right back up again. Rettenbacher and Baumeister then each take a turn scrambling the senses and the whole song leaves you with an incredibly satisfying musical listening experience.
The album closes with Krieger’s “The Secret Mystery of Hensch”. A track steeped deep in the melding fusion of world and psychedelic with jazz. A stunning closer that perfectly defines why Dave Pike Set was so exceptional, boundless, and noteworthy amongst the jazz contemporaries.