Search - Joe Locke :: Slander

MUDDY

Steven Meyers | New Jersey | 11/22/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I keep reading that Joe Locke is the new vibes genius, but based on this effort, Milt Jackson is not being threatened. Actually I really cannot make a determination about what I think of Joe Locke based on this CD, because all the players are playing on top of each other, and you really can't hear Joe. This is the standard Modern Jazz Quartet insturments plus a guitar. The guitar doesn't belong here. It's grating and confusing. The production quality is very poor. The bass doesn't exist, making the songs have that incomplete feel. You really need a bass to substanitize music. "Mission Impossible" suffer badly from this situation. It just isn't there. The fast songs are harsh sounding as a result of this. The slows songs are good enough, because at least you can differentiate the instruments. I wouldn't buy this. If Joe Locke is such a good player, and someone I should listen to, then I'll have to keep searching, because, uh uh, not on here."

Off-Center

04/03/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Locke is a vibes genius, no doubt about it. His music gets richer and more interesting with each listening. With this CD, however, I was expecting more of the straight-ahead jazz that is featured on such gems as his earlier CD release, "Moment to Moment." The guitar spoiled this CD for me, pushing it off-center and toward the electronic/electric/fusion sound I prefer to stay away from. For those who like that guitar sound, and world class vibes, this will be a treasure in your music collection. For those like me who prefer straight-ahead, this ain't it."

Joe Locke is one of the best NYC jazz players period!!

11/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to anything by Joe Locke is a musical adventure. From his chaotically feverish playing with Terry Gibbs and Ravi Coltrane to the beautiful duet disc "Oh Beautiful" with Kenny Barron, Joe Locke has the mastery of his instrument perfectly tuned in for the style he is playing. Few players have the delicate touch needed to make the vibes work in jazz, let alone the virtuosity and chops to use them as an instrument to drive a band. Joe is a consummate player and I proudly own most everything he has out."