Music was in the air in the mid 1950s in LA, with musicians able to balance a busy studio career with nightly gigs to keep one’s chops up. One of the studio studs was vibist Julius Wechter, who for reasons explained in the copious liner notes, never went forward in his musical career. It sure wasn’t for lack of talent, as these two sessions on this one disc are classic sounding West Coast Cool, and the music cruises like a Caddy on PCH.
From 1956, Wechter is with Art Pepper disciple Cy Colley/as, Jim Bates/b and Frank DeVito/dr for peppy tunes like “I’ll Close My Eyes”, a bouncy “Cy’s Blues” and a lilting “Autumn Leaves”. Wechter’s sound is in the chimey Terry Gibbs style, bouncing like a rock skimming over a lake. The second session, from 1957 has clarinetist John Bambridge in a Buddy DeFranco mood, along with clean toned guitarist Dennis Budimir, drummer Jerry Williams and Bates for a bouncy “Scotch Hop”, a bopping “Undecided” and a hip guitar and bass line on “Dave’s Tune” and “Peanuts”. Rare was the clarinet/vibes combo that didn’t imitate Benny Goodman, and this team is fresh and creative. Wechter is a bopper, and he makes it sound as clear as a sunrise at Malibu Beach. A good listen.