Mike Pagan

John Hines: In The Pocket

by Jerry D'Souza
May 18, 2004

A debut recording is always interesting. John Hines’ first is by and large a good debut, except for a couple of awkward moments where he gets heavy handed and congeals his playing. This happens on “In a Sentimental Mood,” which is weighed down by the tack he takes. Sentiment need not be down in the dumps. And on “Central Park West,” his first solo does not ignite the thread. It is now time for the goodies.

The blues ...

John Hines: In The Pocket

by Michael P. Gladstone
April 19, 2004

In the Pocket is a straight-ahead trombone album from John Hines. The majority of this group is from the Denver, Colorado area. Hines shows a good mix of nine standards, jazz standards and original tunes from keyboardist Michael Pagan.

The opening title track, written by Hines, typifies the session with a bright melody line. Hines has a resounding delivery that would have been welcome on any of the late 1950s sessions at Blue Note or Prestige studios. On ...

John Hines: In the Pocket

by Dan McClenaghan
April 18, 2004

The title tune on trombonist John Hines' In the Pocket had me mulling over comparisons with—of course—the late trombone master J.J. Johnson. And I felt that where Mr. Johnson romanced the listener, charmed the ears with subtle sweet somethings, John Hines' approach was more like a sermon—an upbeat, life-affirming, straightforward exhortation. A fine, driving piece of mainstream jazz.With tune two, the classic “I Could Write a Book," I knew something not just good, but really special was happening. ...