Mark Walker: You Get What You Give

Often, there is a tendency among jazz fans to simply pass by albums with drummers as the leaders of a CD release, as if they—the drummer/leaders—know less about jazz or music in general. As if examples of Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Max Roach or those excellent vocal albums by Grady Tate are not good enough examples. That this simply is not the case.

The first 'solo' album by Grammy award-winning drummer Mark Walker, You Get What You Give, seems to have escaped a wide attention, but aside from the Grammy Award, and the fact that Walker has an impeccable record, playing along with the likes of Paquito D'Rivera, Michel Camilo, Oregon, and Ralph Towner, it should be obvious that the album is worth a listen. Still, the real proof lies, not in the names past, but in the music itself. He has assembled an excellent team of players, including Paquito D'Rivera, to craft some exquisite Latin jazz variations.

From the opening "Candombe In Blue," Walker and his ensemble recall Dom Um Romao, another percussion great, through excellent "Andalusian Sunrise," giving space to the tenor of Mike Tucker to expand to the subdued closer "What About That" (with Rivera on the clarinet). The 12 man band shows all the rhythmic intricacies of Latin Jazz, with no overshadowing from Walker and the three other guesting percussionists. Of the ten 10 tracks here, six are Walker originals, while of the four standards: Thelonious Monk's "Bye-Ya" and "All The Things You Are" are particular standouts, with guitarist Tim Miller shining on the latter. All this makes You Get What You Give a standout album.