In jazz, much is permitted that elsewhere would count as a no-go. Duo recordings with unusual instrumental pairings (check), or a drummer playing piano (check). Double Exposure offers both. The story of the pianist-drummer loses some of its mystique, however, once one learns that Joe Chambers first studied piano before switching to drums. On Double Exposure, Chambers is heard alongside organist and keyboard player Larry Young across a series of differently configured pieces: piano solo, piano–organ, piano–synthesiser, and drums–organ. The sequence culminates in the atmospheric, psychedelic »Mind Rain«, later sampled by Nas for »NY State Of Mind« on his debut album Illmatic.
Chambers’ piano playing is introspective; one can almost feel him edging forward, searching. Young responds with spare, restrained contributions, washing the piano’s impressionistic images in watercolour hues. Only when Chambers returns to his primary instrument for the final two tracks does Young fully open up, embarking on adventurous excursions into soul, funk and psychedelia.
