Out of the Dark

Vibraphonist Jon Metzger's debut (recorded when he was in his mid-20s) matches his lead voice with pianist Fred Hersch, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joey Baron. The material (five Metzger originals and two songs from Hersch) is challenging, and a bit unpredictable yet swinging in its own fashion. The music, modern postbop rather than the cool jazz and hard bop often associated with the V.S.O.P. label, is impressive and worth investigating; this LP has not yet been reissued on CD.