In the summer of 2024, Hempton made one of his regular visits to Vancouver, reuniting with soulful co-conspirators Jesse Cahill and Nick Peck for a weekend at Frankie’s, the city’s legendary jazz club. After some cajoling, Van City tenor legend Cory Weeds agreed to take the stage and form a two-horn quartet. Mics were set up, favourite tunes were chosen, cocktails were consumed; and with the Frankie’s crowd in fine fettle, urging the cats on with stomps and hollers, a string of hard-driving soul jazz numbers was laid down.

On both the live and studio cuts, the band keeps the energy high. Mutual admirers Weeds and Hempton spur each other on in sporting, good-natured combat, their friendly sparring bringing to mind the great two-tenor matchups of the past: Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, Johnny Griffin and Lockjaw Davis. All the while Peck and Cahill are down to business, lighting the fire and keeping it burning until the last note fades.

The result is Horns Locked: a joyful collection of hard-swinging soul jazz to bring a smile to your face, a pat to your foot, and maybe even lift a load off your shoulders.