On Rosewood, the always imaginative vibist, percussionist and multi-instrumental artist Mike Dillon moves away from the wild persona he has been known for as leader of The Mike Dillon Band as well as his large New Orleans Punk Rock Percussion Consortium. Here he considerably narrows down the vision, performing on a multitude of instruments with just his long-time collaborators, drummer Earl Havin and recording engineer Chad Meise in on the session. All but three tunes are Dillon originals that allow for lots of improvisation.

The album opens with his whimsical “Tiki Bird Whistle,” the jungle atmosphere made complete with animal sounds and cawing seemingly emanating from high in the trees. The most accessible tunes are also the most melodic and dance-friendly including Dillon’s lively “Rhumba for Peregrine,” which sounds much like an entire band is involved, and the swaying “Earl’s Bolero.” The amusingly titled, “Sober Mardi Gras” struts down the street and closes with a hilarious fade out. In a gentler mode, Dillon turned to two compositions, “Talking to Mary” and the closer “Can’t Make a Sound,” by guitarist/vocalist Elliott Smith. The latter’s sweet sound builds to a happy and invigorating climax that perfectly suits the album’s personality.

On Rosewood, the name of which comes from the lumber used to make the marimba’s bars, Dillon digs deep into his vast array of both acoustic and electronic instruments and gadgets. Granted, there are some tunes that become rather rhythmically repetitive or perhaps meditative, yet the very next cut can pull a listener right back in to further discover another side of the huge talents of Mike Dillon.