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New album out now

Joe Locke Subtle Disguise

feat. Jim Ridl, Lorin Cohen, Samvel Sarkisyan
plus special guests Raul Midón, David Binney, Adam Rogers and Alina Engibaryan

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Jazziz Magazine

"Subtle Disguise is a crowning achievement from a certified vibraphone master."

Brian Zimmerman

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Joe Locke discovers his Lingua Franca with Subtle Disguise

For several years now vibraphonist/composer/bandleader Joe Locke has had two musical purposes: one, to speak in a vernacular which reaches people, and two, to continue challenging himself as a player, writer and arranger. In 2013 Locke released Lay Down My Heart (Blues & Ballads, Vol. 1), which dealt with the first directive. Then in 2015 he completed the astounding Love Is a Pendulum, a suite in 5 movements, which addressed the second. Now, on his newest release, Subtle Disguise (available on Origin Records, November 16, 2018), both of these impulses have been integrated into one recording.

      

“For me, this album is the fruition of a long journey of self discovery as an artist, where I no longer see the different aspects of my musical personality as separate or at odds with one another. I have discovered my own lingua franca, connecting the seemingly disparate styles I enjoy playing,”
– Joe Locke

Origin Records nadworks

Subtle Disguise would not have come to actualization were it not for Locke’s collaborators: Locke states that, Raul Midón’s contribution was essential to the project. His vast musical knowledge combined with his deep understanding of the Blues make him a unique artist. The same can be said of guitarist Adam Rogers; he dips into a lot of different stylistic territory on this album, and he’s always brilliant, honest and deeply communicative. David Binney brings the fire, pure and simple. His contributions raise the bar on the tracks he graces. All three of these musicians are people I’ve been looking to work with for a long time. Having them together here made this project even more special for me,” explained Locke.

Jim Ridl, Lorin Cohen and Samvel Sarkisyan, who form the core of this band, have been hugely important to the development of this project since its inception. Each a formidable musician in his own right, together they function as a tight-knit unit of kindred spirits. This is the quartet I have wanted for a long time. I’m grateful to them for their unflagging commitment to this music.”

Joe Locke, Raul Midón

The Band

Joe Locke vibes
Jim Ridl piano, fender rhodes, synths
Lorin Cohen acoustic and electric basses
Samvel Sarkisyan drums and cymbals

Special guests

Adam Rogers guitar
David Binney alto sax
Alina Engibaryan voice
Raul Midón voice, guitar

Joe Locke - Subtle Disguise

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Mike Marciano
at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn NY on August 2 & 3, 2017

Front and back cover photography & graphic design by nad.works / Nadja von Massow
additional photography: Brian McMillen, Graham Roy, LAPL Valley Times Collection, illustration elements furnished by NASA

Produced by Joe Locke
Executive Producer: Nadja von Massow

Joe Locke is a Malletech artist and plays the Malletech Omega vibraphone
Raul Midón appears courtesy of Mack Avenue Records

The Music

While some of the music on Subtle Disguise is personal in nature, there is a political thread that runs through much of the album. From Red Cloud, a paean to the great Oglala Sioux leader, to Blind Willie Johnson’s spotlight on our youngest embattled citizens, Motherless Children,…

“It’s obvious that on this recording I felt the need to address some wrongs, both historic and present.”

Although Who Killed Davey Moore? – Bob Dylan‘s song about passing the buck – was written in 1963, Locke’s composition Rogues of America speaks to a more current manifestation of callous indifference.

Locke explains that the title song Subtle Disguise, “is about the masks we all wear, for various reasons. Many good souls feel the need to disguise their vulnerabilities, while others wear a smiling mask to hide a malevolent agenda. Whatever the reason, these disguises are hard to shed. The song is also so named because it’s based on a disguised version of a Miles Davis song from the 1950s. Make Me Feel Like It’s Raining is Locke’s tribute to Bobby Hutcherson, who passed away in August 2016. Locke elaborates, “Bobby was the bellwether of contemporary vibraphone. He was also my personal touchstone. Bobby was once asked in an interview what he wanted as a listener. He responded, ‘Jerk me around! Jerk my soul around! Make me smile and laugh. Make me sad. Make me feel like it’s raining.’ His musical impact and the light of his humanity will be felt for a long time to come.

Blondie Roundabout is a dedication to Locke’s manager, Nadja von Massow, around whom there is a constant flow of creative traffic. Safe and Sound (At The Edge of the Milky Way) was inspired by a line spoken by Albert Finney in the film adaptation of Lyle Kessler’s play, Orphans. “I like the paradox of all of us being safe and sound in such a precarious place in the universe”, says Locke. A Little More Each Day, the vocal version of this song, serves as the album’s closer, with Locke on piano, David Binney on alto and Alina Engibaryan interpreting the lyric beautifully.

Red Cloud is named for the great leader of the Oglala Lakota People (1868-1909), and was composed after reading ‘The Heart of Everything That Is’, a biography of his life.

Who Killed Davey Moore? tells the story of the championship fight between Moore and Sugar Ramos on March 21, 1963, which would result in Moore’s death. In each verse of Dylan‘s song the protestations build to suggest that perhaps they are all to blame for the tragedy. Hopefully, our version of the song maintains the essence of The Blues, as well as the song’s narrative about passing the buck in America.

Subtle Disguise – We all wear one from time to time, it seems. I keep mine in an empty paint can in the basement. This piece is so named because it’s based on an old Miles Davis song, disguised though it is.

Make Me Feel Like It’s Raining is dedicated with love and respect to the memory of Bobby Hutcherson. Bobby was once asked what he wanted as a listener. He responded, “Jerk me around! Jerk my soul around! Make me smile and laugh. Make me sad. Make me feel like it’s raining.” He did all of that.

Rogues of America – Keeping in mind that these notes are being written in 2017, care to place a bet on who I’m thinking of here? I’m not putting any money down on you to lose the wager.

Motherless Children was composed in 1927 by Blind Willie Johnson and has been recorded by numerous artists. This track is a tip of the hat to my beautiful sister Bea, who turned me on to the Steve Miller Band version when I was a boy.

Safe and Sound (At the Edge of the Milky Way) – As with so many of my songs, this was inspired by a phrase, in this case, uttered as a gift to a scared kid by Albert Finney’s character in the film adaptation of Lyle Kessler‘s play ‘Orphans’.

Blondie Roundabout is my nickname for my manager, Nadja von Massow, around whom there is a constant flow of creative traffic. I’m ever grateful for her acumen, insight and tireless support.