One of the best artists on Washington State based Origin is composer / vibraphonist Joe Locke. Joe’s 2019 CD on Origin Subtle Disguise has a creepy looking cover but the music is as warm as can be. Joe’s vibes are all over Subtle Disguise and he receives tight backing from a range of players including Jim Ridl (keys), Lorin Cohen (bass), Samvel Sarkisyan (drums), Raul Midón (vocals, guitar), Adam Rogers (electric guitars), David Binney (sax) and Alina Engibaryan (vocals). For the most part, the 9-track CD is a wonderful showcase for Joe’s instrumental vibes-based musical magic but, on a couple of tracks, Raul Midón takes the center-stage vocal spotlight. Those tracks featuring Raul Midón—a cover of Bob Dylan’s 1963 protest song “Who Killed Davey Moore” and a Locke version of “Motherless Children”—are definite highlights that seemingly hang tight with the overall feel of Subtle Disguise. Joe’s track-by-track liner notes are fascinating and the pics included in the six panel digi-pack CD art design are very cool. Progressive, mainstream instrumental, vibes-based jazz-fusion, with some cool surprises, Subtle Disguise is the best album yet from jazz vibes maestro Joe Locke.