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Mark Walker: You Get What You Give

By Ljubinko Zivkovic
June 16, 2019
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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

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones,

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey,

Max Roach

drums
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Max Roach or those excellent vocal albums by

Grady Tate

drums
1932 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">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

drums
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">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

piano
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Michel Camilo,

Oregon

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Oregon, and

Ralph Towner

guitar
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">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

drums
1925 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Dom Um Romao, another percussion great, through excellent "Andalusian Sunrise," giving space to the tenor of

Mike Tucker

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">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

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Miller shining on the latter. All this makes You Get What You Give a standout album.

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Track Listing

Candombe in Blue; Speak No Evil; Akumbia; Moment's Notice; Bye-Ya; Andalusian Sunrise; All The Things You Are; Timba Blues; Deep Six; What About That.

Personnel

Mark Walker

drums

Mark Walker: drums; Paquito D'Rivera: clarinet; Diego Urcola: flugelhorn; Alain Mallet: piano, organ &melodica; Tim Miller: electric guitar; Oscar Stagnaro: electric bass; Pernell Saturnino: percussion; Paulo Stagnaro: percussion; Mike Tucker: tenor saxophone; Leo Blanco: piano; David Zinno: acoustic bass; Ernesto Diaz: percussion.

Album information

Title: You Get What You Give | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

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