This is the first release by the veteran Chicago vibraphonist, with a little name recognition help from tenor saxophonist Ira Sullivan, a stalwart on the Chicago jazz scene in the ’50s. It consists of accomplished mainstream playing with tight swing and sweet melodies, but is nothing new or prodigious. It would especially be of interest to anyone who wants to hear vibraphones in a mainstream context. Cooper has a real subtle touch on vibes and is able to swing hard and legato with melodic horn-like runs. Sullivan’s sax work is smooth as he bums through perfectly-swung melodic lines, similar to Charlie “Bird” Parker, with a penchant for the higher range of the tenor. Pianist Bob Dogan, formerly with the Buddy Rich Band, contributes an excellent performance. And he has a lot of tricks up his improvisational sleeve, swinging fast and hard while pulling out all the stops with an acute sense of tension and release. Highlights include the title track, with its long modal chords allowing the soloists to really stretch out.

Cooper especially comes alive. “Shades of Light“ is a light medium-tempo cut with an understated and addictive melody. The album ends strong with “Town Sound,” starting with African percussion and Cooper making the vibes sound like wood blocks. The melody is elusive with off rhythms. The solos are especially creative here. They go into a free jam which fades into Cole Porter’s compelling “She’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.”