The Hammond organ and the vibraphone are arguably the two warmest and mostviscerally satisfying instruments ever played in a Jazz context (or any context, forthat matter). It is disappointing, but perhaps not so surprising, that so littledocumentation exists of the two playing together. Most famous perhaps areguitarist Grant Green’s 1964 Blue Note recording Street of Dreams, featuringBobby Hutcherson and Larry Young (with Elvin Jones) and organist John Patton’sLet ’Em Roll (1965), also on Blue Note and featuring Bobby Hutcherson (along withGrant Green and Otis “Candy” Finch). Other such recorded collaborations include:Lionel Hampton & Milt Buckner, Gary Burton & Larry Goldings, Joe Locke &Barbara Dennerlein, Steve Nelson & Mike LeDonne, Vid Jamnik & Rob Bargad (if Imay...), Warren Wolf & Jake Sherman (with saxophonist Mike Tucker), StefonHarris & Jared Gold (with guitarist Dave Stryker) and at least two fine projectsfeaturing Bobby Hutcherson & Joey DeFrancesco.The great organist Eddie Louiss has recorded in duo with piano (MichelPetrucciani) and with accordion (Richard Galliano), but the duo of Hammond andvibes (at least to my knowledge), has never been recorded – until now. Thiselegant CD presents two highly accomplished individuals - musically at the top oftheir game. Renato Chicco has played with some of the world’s greatest Jazzartists, including Jon Hendricks, Clark Terry and Jerry Bergonzi. Flip Philipp isprincipal percussionist with the Vienna Symphony and has shared the stage withsuch Jazz greats as Joe Zawinul, Idris Muhammad and Walt Weiskopf. Both are alsohighly valued and respected teachers of music.The Hammond and the vibes actually emit very similar tonal ranges, textures, andtamburs. While the mechanics of each instrument are completely different, at theheart of both lie devices if not of similar function, then at least of similar shapeand concept: the rotating tonewheels that create the actual sound of theHammond, and the rotating discs controlling the vibrato speed of the vibraphone.Both can also be played dry (without vibrato – and just to be clear, theHammond’s vibrato is not controlled by the tonewheels, but by variousindependent vibrato settings). But these related attributes make a successful duoperformance an even greater challenge. As with piano and guitar – the two arechordal instruments with both accompaniment and solo capabilities. The tendencycould easily be to overplay and crowd the music. But in this case, you have twoextremely mature, sensitive and highly creative musicians whose collective wealthof musical knowledge and experience is succesfully and delightfully brought to lifehere, within this unique and demanding setting.Rob Bargad