Gwendolyn Dease shows that the marimba can be taken seriously as an instrument here as she takes seven pieces and teams up with various guests on this intriguing album. She goes solo on “Beija-flor”, taking the mallets and not giving off a hint of novelty or the Tiki Room. She rumbles and goes on rabbit trails with trombonists Marshall Gilkes, Weston Sprott and Michael Dease with a rumbling “Duet-Morning,” melodic “The Beacon Sines Bright” and a muted horn on “Duet Evening” respectively. Linda Oh’s bass veers in and out of the woody sounds, and Rodney Whitaker gets deep with Dease on “Beguiled” and earthy on “Porkchop’s Blues.” The time goes by surprisingly well, and nothing seems force. A novel idea that doesn’t come off as a novelty.