“Master Blaster (Jammin)”, illuminates 2008’s election night festivities around the world and the promise and redemption that 2009’s inauguration holds. “Big Brother” and “Village Ghettoland” channel his outrage about the bitter truths of poverty and isolation which afflict more and more people every day. “If it’s Magic,” holds up our delicate hopes, “You Haven’t Done Nothin'” spits out our betrayal. I had to sing these songs again, now, in the age of Obama. * While it may seem an odd choice to perform this rich, multi-layered music as a sparse trio without chords, it made sense to me on several levels. First of all, Chris Cheek and Stephan Crump are two of my favorite musicians in the world. Then there is the trio ensemble itself; a three-legged stool where each leg has to hold strong to keep things standing. I like the trio’s intimacy and the fact that it leaves nowhere to hide and everywhere to lead. And of course, these are times where each of us in all our flaws must stand up to help each other, learn to rely on each other, maintain strength of purpose, and move forward.

Produced by: David Chesky
Executive Producer: Norman Chesky
Recorded, Edited, and Mastered by: Nicholas Prout
Second Engineer and Session Coordinator: Rick Eckerle
Session Assistants: Alex Sterling, Luigi Guigliano
Recorded: November 19th-20th, 2008 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, New York City