Joe Locke - 'For the Love of You'

Veteran vibraphonist/leader Joe Locke connects his brilliant combo with sensational vocalist Kenny Washington for a session of originals and covers that could already be one of the top jazz records of this young year.

Motivated by a 1994 all-Henry Mancini project, Locke and his all-star quartet – pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist George Mraz and drummer Clarence Penn – teamed with Washington to create a lyrical vocal session brimming with emotion and warmth. With silky, heartfelt vocals, Washington acts, in Locke’s words, as a “musical storyteller.” His creamy vocals inhabit compositions by Mancini, Newley/Bricusse, the Isley Brothers and Neil Young along with such standards as “Old Devil Moon” and “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

Backed by the elegant swing of his rhythm section, Locke solos and harmonizes with Keezer, exploring each song’s melody and mood with instrumental flights of fancy that soothe and excite.

For accessible jazz full of deft musical execution, spontaneity and mature musical ideas, this album will Locke you in.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Tracks to download  “Old Devil Moon,” “Pure Imagination ”

Buy "For the Love of You" in CD format

Buy "For The Love Of You" in MP3 format (Links go to Amazon.com)

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.