Matthias Lupri Same Time Twice CD

Personnel: Matthias Lupri (vibraphone); Mark Turner (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kurt Rosenwinkel (acoustic & electric guitars); Reuben Rogers (acoustic bass); Gregory Hutchinson (drums).
Recorded at Acoustic Studios, New York, New York on September 19 & 20, 2000. Includes liner notes by Zan Stewart.
Personnel: Matthias Lupri (vibraphone); Kurt Rosenwinkel (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Mark Turner (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Reuben Rogers (acoustic bass); Gregory Hutchinson (drums).
Audio Mixer: Peter Kontrimas.
Liner Note Author: Zan Stewart.
Recording information: Acoustic Studios, New York, NY (09/19/2000/09/20/2000).
Photographer: Liz Linder.
Vibraphonist Matthias Lupri has gained international attention because of his mastery of this percussion instrument, a rare one in the jazz idiom, but one that he induces to speak in a beautiful array of musical colors and textures. On Same Time Twice, the Berklee graduate teams up with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, saxophonist Mark Turner, acoustic bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, all excellent leaders in their own right. But despite the giant-sized talent of this ensemble, there are no conflicts of jazz interests here, just splendid complementing and soloing and audacious improvising. This highly listenable straight-ahead jazz collection boasts 11 brand new songs, all written by Lupri and packed with the significant vibrato and production concepts that he has gleaned over the years from such master vibists and educators as Gary Burton and Lionel Hampton. However, this stellar set is played in the ensemble's own voice, with a variation on the typical vibraphone sound, as Lupri runs through a pickup and guitar amp. "Same Time Twice" opens the program, and includes excellent simultaneous solos from Rosenwinkel and Hutchinson over the ending vamp. Throughout the song, they set a pattern of sound replicated by the group in amplitude and pitch, even though the group's improvisations are independent of each other. The group's approach to chromatic harmony gives the impression of exotic origins on the dulcet-titled "Jade." Lupri's lyricism and modulations form its beautiful melody and sentimental tone, while Hutchinson and Rogers supply just the right tempo and emotion. "You Just Never Know" and "After Hours" are pensive ballads that are both provocative and soothing, and yet still entertain. Overall, Same Time Twice exceeds the expectations and satisfaction heard on Lupri's previous two releases, Window Up Window Down and Shadow of the Vibe, providing a continuum for Lupri's vibraphone and compositional values and creativity. ~ Paula Edelstein