Synchronicity: An Interpretation of the album by The Police

Recently the Hazelrigg Brothers’ released their latest endeavor, a soulful rendition of The Police’s iconic album, Synchronicity. Pianist George Hazelrigg once again joins forces with his brother and bassist Geoff Hazelrigg along with drummer John O’Reilly Jr, to pay tribute to the album’s 40th anniversary. Rooted in the cultural and political milieu of the early 1980s, Synchronicity profoundly influenced the Hazelrigg Brothers’ musical journey, a resonance that shaped their artistic trajectory until today.

This meticulously crafted album, also titled Synchronicity, is an interpretation of the album by The Police and offers an audiophile experience marked by the trio’s signature intensity and dynamism. This auditory gem was meticulously captured using two stereo microphones in a single room, employing Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology. The album was released on June 2, 2023 and is available on CD, and digital formats through Native DSD, accessible at Outer Marker Records. A 180-gram vinyl (mastered from DSD) will be available in the near future. Notably, the track “Murder By Numbers” is exclusively offered only on the digital versions.

The roots of this remarkable project extend back four decades to Princeton, NJ, where the Hazelrigg Brothers’ fervent enthusiasm for music was ignited by MTV. The striking visuals and opening notes of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” left an indelible mark on their young minds. A deep-seated connection to songs like “Synchronicity II” and “Wrapped Around Your Finger” ensued.

Now, let’s delve deeper into this musical voyage orchestrated by the Hazelrigg Brothers: “Synchronicity I” opens the album with a hypnotic allure, expertly balanced by the trio’s prowess in dynamic playing. There’s little doubt that it’s this use of dynamic range that is emblematic of the band’s signature style and adds a captivating dimension to the performance. I enjoyed “Mother”, the only blues on the album. This track seamlessly intertwines lyrical depth with instrumental finesse. This piece was a notable challenge, owing to its punk-inspired essence, yet the Hazelrigg Brothers masterfully captured its essence. “Synchronicity II” serves as a remarkable synthesis of preceding tracks, culminating in a sonic tapestry marked by controlled chaos. This composition showcases the trio’s sound design ingenuity.

In my opinion, one of the highlights of the album is “King of Pain” that offers a unique twist on the original. There’s a lot to unpack on this track and this makes it somewhat difficult describe with the written word. Suffice to say that the trio’s deft manipulation of sound texture culminates in a captivating auditory experience. In the press release George noted “That is the tune where we wind up sounding most like a jazz trio. By the time the outro hits, we’ve distressed the song completely.” I’d agree with this.

Also of note is “Tea in the Sahara” that stands as a testament to the Hazelrigg Brothers’ instrumental finesse, highlighting the delicate nuances of each instrument and their harmonious synergy. Speaking about this track George wrote in the press release “What “Tea in the Sahara” captures is how beautiful all the instruments in that room sound. It captures what is so phenomenal about that 1887 Steinway and just the massive size and tone of Geoff’s bass and the delicacy of that birch Gretsch kit, and how John approaches playing cymbals. It’s all just the delicate – impossibly quiet at times – detail, of just how fine those instruments are.”

In summary, the Hazelrigg Brothers’ interpretation of Synchronicity serves as a heartfelt homage to The Police’s seminal work. Their masterful musicianship, combined with an astute understanding of each track’s emotional depth, offers a fresh perspective while honoring the album’s legacy.

Highly recommended.

What took so long? Musicians have consistently named The Police's Synchronicity as a very influential recording, and musicians have been covering pop songs creatively since the beginning of music. So why has it taken so long for a trio to take the challenge?

The Hazelrigg Brothers have answered the questions and were up to the challenge. This is no lounge trio covering popular songs. The Hazelrigg Brothers are creating interesting arrangements and "derangements" of these tunes and really making them their own.

So how does a drummer interpret the manic and influential drumming of Stewart Copeland into Jazz versions of Synchronicity? Ask John O' Reilly Jr. Or better yet, just listen to this album. It's really good.