Search - Joe Locke & David Hazeltine :: Mutual Admiration Society 2

Swinging, Heart-Warming Modern Jazz

John Tapscott | Canada | 06/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On a cold day in February 2009, the Joe Locke-David Hazeltine Quartet entered a Brooklyn studio and laid down some hard swinging, heart-warming music for the group's second Sharp Nine release. The first Mutual Admiration Society CD from 1998 was a fine recording, but Mutual Admiration Society 2 may be even better and shows how even top flight musicians continue to grow and develop their musical gifts.



Locke on vibes and Hazeltine on piano share the leadership of the CD as equals, and each contributes three original tunes. These men are on the same musical wave-length and blend together magically on the heads of the tunes. With this particular instrumentation, the music could possibly be played softly in the background, but this is far more than background music. This is very sophisticated modern jazz music which unfolds more and more for the attentive listener with each spin. The originals sometimes use advanced compositional devices such as modes and twelve tone rows. The heads of these tunes are often spiky and complex, but once the solo choruses are reached it's straight-ahead swinging all the way. "Pharoah's Joy" and "Convocation" by Locke and Hazeltine's "Twelve" are excellent examples of this process. The transition from advanced heads to straight ahead blowing, setting up tension and then releasing it, is what makes this music so interesting and delightful. The ballads "The Peacocks" by Jimmy Rowles and Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic" provide a change of pace from the originals. The haunting Rowles tune is perfect for this instrumentation and will stick in your mind long after the CD has finished playing. One of the most satisfying ways to cap a jazz set or jazz recording is with a swinging blues, and so Locke and Hazeltine do here with the pianist's hard-driving "Blues for Buddy."



Locke as usual is very good on vibes, but special mention must be made of Hazeltine's flowing and inventive solos which may be among his best ever recorded work. For an example of Hazeltine's inspired work, hear his solo on "One for Reedy Ree" (written by Hazeltine in memory of drummer Tony Reedus). The rhythm section from the earlier disc returns (Essiet Essiet on bass and Billy Drummond on drums), and brings the perfect blend of fire and finesse to the music.



Mutual Admiration Society 2 is a heart-warming, swinging, satisfying modern jazz recording. Producer Marc Edelman reports in the notes that the first CD by this group was "one of the most admired CD's in the Sharp Nine" catalog. It's not hard to imagine that MAS 2 will garner even more praises and enjoy similar success."