Out of Thin Air 1995 CD $12.
If you like upbeat arrangements of new standards played with feeling
and precision on a solo instrument, you'll enjoy Derek's innovative
harmonic and rhythmic approach to The Stick. The title, "Out of Thin
Air", was no doubt born out of the Himalayas as the CD cover photo
shows. He has travelled several years around India and Tibet with
Stick and amps, street busking for a living.
This CD introduces Derek as a distinctive instrumental stylist,
recognizable by his use of melodic sixths, his bass arpeggios with
sparkling harmonics, and his fast rhythmic "rides" (as in the Beatles'
"Blackbird"). His abstracted rendition of J. S. Bach's "Ave Maria"
without any melody is very effective.