Subtle Disguise

Born in 1959, vibraphonist Joe Locke belongs to a minority within the jazz scene; nevertheless, since his arrival in New York in 1981, he has established himself as a master of his craft. As a bandleader, his body of work to date comprises over thirty albums—supplemented by more than twice that number on which he appears as a distinguished sideman. Freddy Cole and Eddie Henderson, in particular, have regularly called upon Locke's services. *Subtle Disguise* is his most recent recording released under his own name, and—with just two exceptions—he composed the entire work himself. Bob Dylan's "Who Killed Davey Moore?" addresses the tragic fate of the lightweight champion named in the title, who died in 1963—four days after his final bout—from injuries sustained in the ring; "Motherless Children" originates from the blues singer and guitarist Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945). Despite these two borrowings from the blues and folk traditions, *Subtle Disguise* remains a jazz album, distinguished by its conceptual openness. If, however, it nonetheless evokes rather lukewarm sentiments, this is attributable to its somewhat cool—and perhaps overly streamlined—stylistic approach.