Album Review of
Cobb's Pocket (with Mike LeDonne, Peter Bernstein & Jimmy Cobb)

Written by Robert Silverstein
August 19, 2019 - 4:05pm EDT
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Part jazzy, part bluesy, Cobb’s Pocket is the 2019 CD release by NYC based recording artist Hendrik Meurkens. Backed up by a fine band, including Peter Bernstein (guitar), Mike LeDonne (organ) and Jimmy Cobb (drums), the all-instrumental CD is the perfect showcase of Hendrik’s harmonica work, which is the key instrument showcased on the eight cut, 50 minute album. Post-bop jazz at its finest, Cobb’s Pocket features Hendrik and company romping through an album of cover tracks, including originals by Herbie Hancock, Slide Hampton, Henry Mancini, Sam Jones and Jimmy Van Heusen. The title track, track four “Slidin” and the CD closer “A Slow One” were written by Hendrik. The sound of the album showcases the steady interaction between the harmonica, electric guitar, organ and drums, which is a rarely heard combination of instruments. Jimmy Cobb is a jazz drumming legend that played with Wes Montgomery and in the spirit of Wes, Cobb’s Pocket is “in the pocket jazz” at its finest.